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38
Disinfection and Disinfestation.
(a) General
The public are becoming more conscious of insect infestations other than those
caused by bugs The advice of the Public Health Inspector is often sought not only in
dwellings but in factories and other business premises
Number of rooms disinfected after cases of
infectious disease 1 242
Number of rooms treated for vermin 1 288
Number of rooms included in the above
figure treated for vermin (free) 365
(The majority of free cases were carried out on
behalf of the elderly or infirm persons or
persons of limited means )
Number of families where effects were treated with
D.D.T. as a precautionary measure 174
The department also undertook the disinfection of wards in a number of hospitals
on request for co-operation in the control of hospital infection
In addition the routine disinfection of pillows and woollen blankets from a hospital
in the Borough continued for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of infection
particularly for certain types of staphylococcal infection
During the year tests were carried out by representatives of the Hospital Medical
staff which confirmed the efficiency of the method adopted 2 842 bags containing blankets
and pillows were disinfected in accordance with this procedure at an agreed charge
Disinfection is basically the use of formalin and steam at atmospheric pressure which does
not render woollen blankets unusable after treatment
39 visits were paid by the Public Health Inspector to a factory to supervise the
treatment of 175 bales of stockings or other Materials for export The total weight of
bales treated was 58 tons 0 cwts 2 qrts 25 lbs
In order that the work of disinfection and disinfestation may be carried out with
the least possible delay the disinfecting staff were provided with transport by means of
scooters and box sidecars By this means work is facilitated the equipment can be
conveyed easily the public receive better service and the staff concerned are appreciative
of the facilities provided
(b) Steam Disinfection
2726 articles of clothing or bedding were steam disinfected
(c) Fly and Other Infestations
Anti-fly treatment at Ashburton Grove Depot commenced on 4th May and continued during
the summer months
Disinfestation staff dealt with 16 cases where complaints of wasps nests had been
received
The Council’s Housing Estates continued to be treated for red clover mite in order to
keep the infestation to a minimum