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37
SMOKE NUISANCES.
Nuisances through the emission of black smoke were dealt with in 16 instances.
Twenty-four communications were received from the London County Council respecting
15 premises, and one was received from the Coal Smoke Abatement Society.
There were also three complaints relative to smoke nuisances in connection with
private premises. In all cases the necessary steps were taken to obtain the abatement
of the nuisances complained of. Seven intimation notices were served by the
sanitary inspectors, but no statutory notices were required.
VERMINOUS HOUSES.
The houses in which it was necessary to take measures on account of the presence
of vermin numbered 197, as compared with 99 in 1909, 127 in 1908, 111 in 1907, and
103 in 1906. The rooms dealt with numbered 386, as compared with 157 in 1909.
The usual steps were taken to strip, stop and cleanse walls where required. In 94
of the rooms situate in 72 of the bouses referred to above the steps taken arose through
information from the school authorities. During the year numerous intimations
were received from the Medical Officer (Education) as to children attending school
in a verminous state, presumably suffering from body lice. Others also from the
same source were received through the Medical Officers of Health of adjoining
boroughs. These intimations, which numbered over one hundred, related to some
355 homes in Shoreditch, in which dwelt 424 children alleged to have been attending
school in a verminous state. Intimations were also received respecting a number
of other homes in which there were verminous children situate in adjoining boroughs.
These were duly forwarded to the respective medical officers of health. In a few
cases the same house and children were brought under our notice more than once.
The intimations were accompanied by requests for the homes to be dealt with under
the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1904. Part IV., Section 20, of
that Act giving the sanitary authority power to cleanse houses infested with vermin.
In all cases the addresses at which the children reported resided were visited by the
sanitary inspectors, and the dwelling, bedding, clothing and the like inspected with
a view more particularly to ascertaining whether lice were present or not. Special
attention was paid to seams and folds in clothing, &c., with the object of detecting
nits. The general condition of the dwelling as regards cleanliness, the presence or
absence of bugs and fleas was also noted. Where necessary the requisite steps were
taken by disinfection and cleansing to free the dwellings, bedding and the like from
vermin.
A very appreciable amount of the inspector's time was occupied in the work
and in numerous instances multiple visits had to be made before the dwellings could
be inspected. Much tact is necessary in connection with visits of this character,
but notwithstanding great care in this respect on the part of the inspectors in numerous
instances the visits were greatly resented by parents and others in charge of the