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Two specially constructed zinc-lined vans with well and crankaxle
are employed, one for removing infected articles, the other
for returning- the same after disinfection has been carried out.
Each side of the station is provided with lavatory accommodation,
including- bath and w.c.
When the station was opened the disinfecting- staff was
re-organised. Mr. C. H. Woodhouse, who had had twelve
years' experience as a disinfector was appointed Disinfection
Superintendent, and made responsible for the whole of the work
of disinfection. Each side of the station has a separate staff.
On the non-infected side are employed an engineer, driver and
driver's assistant, while the staff of the infected side consists
of a driver, driver's assistant, disinfecting- assistant and two
room disinfectors. No interchange of duties is allowed to occur
between the workers employed on opposite sides, and the
danger of infection being carried from the infected to the
disinfected side is in this way prevented. The disinfectors
work in special suits of clothes provided by the Council, and
each man changes his clothes and takes a bath every day at the
end of his day's work.
The total weight of articles removed and disinfected at the
station from the date of its opening to the 25th December,
1902, was 131 tons, 16 cwts., 2 qrs., 13 lbs. The disinfection
of this weight of articles at contractor's charges, viz., 15s.
per cwt. would have cost the Council ,£1,977 9s. 3d. The
actual cost of disinfecting these articles at the station was
£996 12s. 5d., so that by carrying out the work of disinfection
without the intervention of a contractor, the Council has saved
£980 16s. 10d. in nine months.
During the year 1,161 premises were disinfected by
fumigation. In many cases sulphur di-oxide gas was used,
but latterly formic aldehyde has been chiefly employed, as it
is in many ways a more satisfactory disinfectant. After Smallpox
cases the infected rooms were stripped of paper and
washed with a solution of chloride of lime.
Disinfectants were gratuitously supplied in 4,793
instances, either at the houses or upon application at the
Disinfectant Stores, Municipal Buildings. The disinfectants