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45
In view of the impending closure of the Cleansing Station, the Council, in the early part of
the year, gave careful consideration to the steps it would be necessary to take in order to continue
the excellent work which was being performed at the Mary Place Station.
It was finally resolved to erect a Cleansing Station, to be hereafter called the Medicinal
Baths, on the site, owned by the Council, in Blechynden Mews, adjoining the Public Baths and
Washhouses. The plans provide for:—
(1) Waiting-room with office enclosure and lavatory accommodation.
(2) Hair washing room.
(3) Three bath rooms with dressing rooms adjoining.
(4) Two chambers containing disinfecting apparatus whereby clothing will be disinfected
by superheated steam at a pressure of 15 lbs. per square inch above atmospheric
pressure.
Hot water and steam will be supplied from the Public Baths. This arrangement will effect
a great economy, for the small amount required at the Medicinal Baths will make but comparatively
little difference in the amount of hot water and steam prepared daily at the Public Baths
and Washhouses.
Following the Council's decision, a new agreement has been entered into with the London
County Council, which provides for the use of the Medicinal Baths by the latter body for the
cleansing of children attending elementary schools in and around Kensington. Under this
agreement the County Council will pay 1s. in respect of each bath given to a school child (whether
resident in Kensington or not) and a minimum payment at the rate of ±'450 per annum is
guaranteed for five years. This agreement follows the lines of one made between the County
Council and the Borough Council in 1917 and which expired in 1920, but the guaranteed minimum
of £450 per annum for five years is new, the Borough Council insisting on this guarantee being
given before commencing the erection of the new building. Technically, in accordance with the
provision of the Children Act, 1908, children sent from the elementary schools are cleansed by the
School Nurse in the employ of the London County Council, who attends at the Station for the
purpose, and is responsible to her employers for the effective use of the apparatus provided. In
practice, the actual work of bathing and. disinfecting garments is executed by the Borough
Council's servants under the supervision of the School Nurse.
A further agreement in regard to the cleansing of verminous inmates of common lodging
houses has been made with the County Council on the lines of the old agreement which expired
recently. The Borough Council have agreed to cleanse verminous inmates from Kensington
common lodging houses free of charge and to bath those sent by the London County Council
Officers from common lodging houses in neighbouring boroughs at a rate of 1/- per bath.
The cleansing of Kensington persons not sent by officers of the County Council will be
performed free of charge by the Superintendent and his wife under the direction of the Medical
Officer of Health.
Persons non-resident in Kensington, other than those mentioned in the two agreements with
the County Council, will not be dealt with unless the Councils of the areas in which they reside
undertake to pay an adequate sum for the services rendered.
The Medical Officer of Health will be responsible to the Council for the general supervision of
the Medicinal Baths.
The work of building is progressing satisfactorily and it is hoped that the Baths will be
ready for use in July of the present year.
During the interregnum, from August 7th to the date of the opening of the Medicinal Baths,
the Marylebone Borough Council, through their Medical Officer of Health, have kindly consented
to cleanse any bad cases of scabies sent from Kensington. Owing to the great distance, not much
use has been made of this offer, and a record of the number of baths given to Kensington cases
has not been kept.
THE RATS AND MICE (DESTRUCTION) ACT, 1919.
This Act, which became operative on January 1st, 1920, involves local authorities and
occupiers of premises in additional responsibilities in connection with the suppression of rats. The
first section of the Act reads as follows:—
"Any person who shall fail to take such steps as may from time to time be necessary
"and reasonably practicable for the destruction of rats and mice on or in any land of
"which he is the occupier, or for preventing such land from becoming infested with
" rats or mice, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five
" pounds, or, where he has been served with a notice under this Act requiring him to
" take such steps, not exceeding twenty pounds."
In the Borough, the Borough Council are the authority required to execute and enforce this
Act; but the London County Council are responsible for rat suppression in sewers vested in the
County Council. The Borough Council are also required to observe the requirements of the Act
in respect of any land of which they are the occupiers.
The Borough Council may, within their own area, give instructions by public notice as to the
most efficient methods that can be adopted both individually and collectively with a view to the
destruction of rats and mice. Also, in the event of the occupier failing to take necessary action,
the Council may serve notice requiring him to take steps for the purpose of destroying rats and
mice and of preventing his land or premises becoming infested, or, after 24 hours' notice, they may
enter the premises, carry out the work and recover any reasonable expenses from him.