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91
Shelter during Disinfection.
For some years past the arrangement has been in operation with the Council
of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury for accommodation to be provided at
their Reception House, Northampton Road, for residents of this Borough during
tho disinfection of their homes after infectious disease. In the year 1980 the
accommodation was used by one Holbom family comprising two adults and two
children. This family were smallpox contacts; they remained at the shelter one
night.
Verminous Conditions and Scabies.
In connection with our co-operation with the London County Council School
Medical Service, for some years past information has been received from the
Medical Officer of Health of the London County Council respecting Holborn
children attending elementary schools found to be verminous or suffering from
scabies. During 1030 only one such notice was received. This related to a case
of scabies in a boy attending a London County Council school. On visiting the
home it was found that a younger child had also suffered from the disease and
recovered. The home was kept under observation until the complete recovery
of the schoolboy; the premises and bedding were then thoroughly disinfected and
the home reported to be clean.
Information was received from the Out-Patient Almoner of a hospital of the
recurrence of scabies in a family where previous infection was reported in the year
1929. On the previous occasion the infected children Mere admitted to the Poor
Law hospital and discharged cut-ed after two months' treatment; reinfection of
mother and one child occurred some two months later. Arrangements were made
for the mother and child to have a course of sulphur baths daily at our cleansing
station, and for the bedding and personal and bed linen to be thoroughly
disinfected weekly. At the end of a month the family was reported to be well
and the children again at school. At subsequent visits the home was reported to
be clean and all the family well. We were consulted with regard to the occurrence
of scabies in two chambermaids in a hotel probably contracted from infection
derived from a hotel visitor.
Extermination of Vermin.
With a view to encouraging activc steps for the extermination of vermin,
arrangements were continued for a supply of a vermin-killing solution to be stocked
in the Health Department and to be available at cost price for occupiers of
infested houses and tenements. A small sprayer for diffusing the solution was also
made available on loan.