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34
The diseases requiring removal for fumigation, etc., are Small-pox, Diphtheria ,
Scarlet Fever, and Typhus Fever. 1892 was an epidemic year for Scarlet Fever
and Diphtheria, and, therefore, accommodation calculated on the figures of that
year will not under-estiruate the amount required. During the year there were
1,727 cases of these diseases reported, or, excluding Sundays, an average of 5.5 a
day from the 57,345 tenements in the District, a proportion of a little over two
a day from the 23,478 tenements to be provided for. If, therefore, the Shelter
accommodate four families it should suffice at least for present demands, provided
that the arrangements for disinfection are sufficiently complete and expeditious.
This last proviso is of extreme importance, as the slightest delay in disinfection,
owing to over pressure, would necessitate families remaining overnight in the
Shelter and block the means of providing accommodation.
The Disinfecting Station is approached by a single entrance from Cambridge
Street, King's Road, Pancras Road, N.W., or Cambridge Street, maybe approached
through the St. Pancras Gardens, on the east side of which it is situated. It consists
of an enclosed rectangular yard, bounded by blank walls on the north and south sides,
and by the buildings of the station on the east and west sides. On the east side are
situated the entrance gateway, the steam disinfecting chamber with stoke-hole, coalvault,
charging and discharging rooms for infected articles, and the destruction
furnace. On the west side are the waiting-room, coach-houses and stores, and over
these the Family Shelter.
In February, 1893, your Vestry, (upon the recommendation of the Health
Committee, agreed to build a Family Shelter in accordance with the plan of your
Borough Engineer, and the tender of Mr. Davenall, for £450, was accepted.
The Shelter has been erected upon the single-storeyed buildings bounding the
Disinfecting Station on the west side, and is approached by an iron staircase.
It consists of four separate rooms, each containing a complete cooking range
and a sink with draw-tap, and a bath-room and lavatory is attached to each living
room. The four rooms have a respective capacity of 2,500, 1,000, 1,000 and 1,400
cubic feet, and open into a corridor provided with two w.c.'s fitted with modern
apparatus.
The baths and lavatory basins are supplied with both hot and cold water,
and it is hoped that families taking shelter will avail themselves fully of the
washing and cleansing arrangements, and of the opportunity of passing their
personal clothing through the disinfecting chamber before returning home.
The outlook of the shelter over the St. Pancras Gardens is extremely cheerful,
and the self-contained disposition of the Disinfecting Station will secure undisturbed
privacy to the occupants.
The accompanying plans show the arrangements of the Disinfecting Station
and of the Shelter.