Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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Complaint has also arisen through infestation by the Clover Mite
(Bryobia praetiosa) of Council premises, particularly new blocks
flats. The mite is brought in on turves in grassing the areas adjoining
the blocks. It is red in colour and harmless, but a source of annoyance
to the occupants. It has been controlled by the use of an acaricide
applied in the form of a "wettable" powder based on "Malathion"
as one of the active ingredients.
Personal Cleansing Station.
There are facilities for treatment of scabies and verminous conditions
at the Personal Cleansing Station, Sheepcote Lane. During
the year 146 treatments were given to persons suffering from or contacts
of scabies—47 to adults, 84 to school children, and 15 to children
under school age.
In addition to the above 39 adults and 206 children found to
be verminous were cleansed. Of the 206 children, 190 attended from
local schools by arrangement with the London County Council, who
have entered into a contract with the Council for the use of the Personal
Cleansing Station. The cleansing and treatment of the school children
is carried out under the supervision of officers of the London County
Council, while the disinfestation of clothing and, if necessary, of the
home is carried out by the Borough Council's staff.
The following table shows the number of treatments at thePersonal Cleansing Station and the expenditure incurred since 1950:-
Year | Adults | Children | *Expenditure | *Amount Contributed |
---|---|---|---|---|
Verminous and Scabies | Verminous and Scabies | £ | £ | |
1950 | 226 | 2,238 | 1,750 | 410 |
1951 | 200 | 1,858 | 1,992 | 406 |
1952 | 176 | 1,994 | 1,956 | 535 |
1953 | 144 | 1,943 | 1,932 | 508 |
1954 | 214 | 2,499 | 1,966 | 512 |
1955 | 246 | 2,318 | 2,371 | 526 |
1956 | 262 | 1,517 | 2,681 | 547 |
1957 | 289 | 1,535 | 3,202 | 553 |
1958 | 288 | 1,756 | 2,536 | 560 |
1959 | 221 | 1,259 | 2,259 | 560 |
1960 | 142 | 640 | 2,529 | 545 |
1961 | 86 | 305 | 2,280 | 540 |
* Financial year ending 31st March. Other columns, calendar year.
It will be seen that the decrease in the numbers of adults and
children treated which occurred in 1959 and 1960 was continued in 1961.
The contract with the London County Council, referred to above,
provides for the payment by them of 3s. 6d. for each treatment given,
whether for vermin or for scabies, with a minimum payment of
£500 per annum.