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33
DISINFECTION.
Rooms are disinfected after the removal of the patient by spraying with
a 1 in 20 solution of formalin. Linen and cotton articles are steeped in a
solution of Jeyes' Fluid in the room previous to being washed, and articles of
•clothing, bedding, etc., are removed in a van provided for that purpose by the
Council to the disinfecting station, where they are treated in a WashingtonLyon
steam disinfector of the latest pattern. After treatment, the bedding,
etc., are returned in a separate van used only for conveying disinfected
articles.
DISINFECTANTS.
Disinfectant fluid or powder have been, for some years past (on an instruction
of the Council) supplied to any member of the public who cared to
ask for it at the sanitary stores. This indiscriminate supply has its disadvantages.
In 1907, no less than 36,370 people (chiefly children) were so
served, and in the one month of May, 1908, as many as 4,6-18 people. So
one may say that in the year before this every other man, woman and child
in the District had a parcel of disinfectant given them. One is not then surprised
to learn that £240 is annually spent in Edmonton for disinfectants!
Besides, a very great deal of time, which might be more advantageously
occupied, is spent by my staff in distributing the same.
"A nasty smell" is Nature's warning to the householder and house-wife
that some cleansing is necessary and that the yard and gullies want clearing.
It is an expensive and futile business to supply one smell to counteract another.
After full consideration, in December I recommended my Council to place
some restriction on the supply of disinfectants to casual callers, and assured
them that no danger to the Public Health will subsequently arise.
REMOVAL OF DISINFECTING STATION.
In June a Councillor suggested that this should be removed from Covering's
Farm to Deepham's Farm. The Sanitary Committee considered the
matter, but reported that the time was not opportune. With this I agree,
but when the removal takes place I hope that opportunity will be taken to
build a cottage for the Disinfector not far off, and to erect a building for the
treatment of verminous persons, especially those suffering from Itch. Whole
families are attacked by this miserable insect, and it is impossible to deal
with them by ordinary medical means. A building on the plan of the discharge
block at an Isolation Hospital is required : a bath-room in the centre,
and an undressing room at one end and a re-dressing room at the other.
Whilst the verminous person is having a sulphur bath, his or her clothes
can be placed in a disinfector close by, and be found ready in the re-dressing
room after the half-hour in the bath is over.