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20
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
In June, 1906, a communication was received from the London
County Council, in which it was stated that it had under consideration
a suggestion that it should establish a laboratory and engage the
services of a bacteriologist with the view of considerably reducing the
cost of bacteriological examinations, a large number of which are
required to be made by the several Sanitary Authorities and the
London County Council during the year, and asking for the views of
the Deptford Borough Council on the suggestion. A further letter
was received in August stating that it had been suggested that any
bacteriological examinations in such laboratory undertaken at the
request of any of the Sanitary Authorities in London should be
conducted without cost to such authority. As a result of enquiries made
by this Council, it was found that eleven of the Metropolitan Borough
Councils disagreed with the suggestion of the London County Council,
two had decided to take no action, one required further particulars
before arriving at a decision, and two agreed that the suggestion
would be desirable. The Public Health Committee recommended,
and the Council passed in July, the following resolution:—
"That the London County Council be informed that this Council
has already made arrangements for such bacteriological examinations
as are required to be made so far as regards this Council, and is not
prepared to take any action in the direction suggested by the London
County Council."
LAUNDRIES AND INFECTED CLOTHING.
In February, the Public Health Committee considered a circular
letter from the Islington Borough Council upon the above subject.
It was pointed out that "the powers possessed under the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, only apply to infectious diseases which
are notifiable," and it was proposed that powers should be obtained
respecting the transmission of any infected clothing to laundries.
The recommendation of the Committee that "no action be taken"
was referred back at the Council meeting of the 27th February, and
upon further consideration and after a communication from the
London County Council had been received upon the subject, the
Committee recommended that "the London County Council be
informed that this Council concurs in the suggestion that the sending
of infected clothing to laundries should be made a punishable offence,"
which recommendation was passed by the Council on the 8th May,
1906