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28
SECTION VII.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISINFECTION AND THE EXTENT OF THE
USE OF DISINFECTANTS.
Disinfection of the room infected is carried out after Diphtheria, Scarlet
Fever, Erysipelas, and after the removal or deaths of consumptives. The
room itself is sprayed with a solution of formalin, whilst the bedding, etc., is
removed to be disinfected by steam. Two bedding vans are used, one for
infected and the other for clean goods. Leather goods, books, etc., are disinfected
in a special formaldehyde chamber.
Disinfectants are supplied liberally to those who apply. The applicants,
during the week, run into hundreds. This policy of giving disinfectants wholesale
might be reviewed from two points of view: (l)The modern conception
of infectious disease is that the personal factor is predominant; for instance,
that diphtheria is caught from some person and not from the emanations of
drains; and (2) to put a disinfectant down a drain because it smells is a mistake:
a drain properly constructed and kept clean gives no smell. When a gully or
drain is offensive, it should be seen to and cleansed.
Disinfestation.
The Cleansing Station in the Town Hall Yard is nearing completion. It
comprises two separate baths, a sink with a shower (combined hot and cold)
for the head, and a current steam disinfector heated by gas and easily workable .
The Council's Baths, etc., are adjacent and supply the necessary hot water.
The following figures, and those in Section IX., have been given me by the
Sanitary Inspector, Mr. Butland:—
Rooms disinfected after Infectious Disease 1,037
Rooms disinfected after Phthisis. 175
Rooms stripped and cleansed 416
Articles disinfected after Infectious Disease 4,891
Articles destroyed after Infectious Disease 14
Articles disinfected after Phthisis 490