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(d) Public Library and Other Books.— The following action was
taken during the year in regard to the disinfection or destruction
of Public Library and privately-owned hooks :—
No. of Public Library books removed from infected
homes, and disinfected 943
No. of Public Library books removed from homes in
which smallpox had occurred, and destroyed 1
No. of privately-owned books removed from infected
homes, and disinfected 421
No. of books removed from the shelves of the Public
Libraries, and disinfected 7,382
Total number of books dealt with 8,747
Isolation Shelter.
During the year 391 persons were admitted to the shelter while
their homes were being disinfected. This total consisted of 95 men,
113 women, and 183 children. The cost of maintenance of these
persons was £47 16s. 8d.
Cleansing of Persons Act, 1897.
The facilities provided by the Borough Council under the above
Act for the cleansing of verminous persons were in constant use.
The total number of baths given during the year was 1,044 (287 to
adults and 757 to children), whilst 2,701 head cleansings not
necessitating bathing were carried out. The total number of
cleansings or treatments at the Cleansing Station during the year
was, therefore, 3,745 or 358 less than in the previous year.
Of the 1,044 baths given, 992 were sulphur baths for scabies
and 52 hot baths for pediculi. The great majority of the persons
presenting themselves for baths or cleansing were children from
the elementary schools in the Borough.