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133
[1898
DISINFECTION.
The disinfection of houses and clothing after the occurence of
infectious disease showed a large decrease on the preceding years, a
fact which is altogether accounted for by the decrease in the number of
patients by 588 on those notified in 1897, and by 1,404 on those known
in 1896.
There was for a time a growing tendency for people to carry out
their own disinfection, but as this was most undesirable in the public
interest a certificate was drawn up which had to be signed by the
medical attendant, who declared that he had satisfied himself that
the disinfection of the clothing and the house had been properly carried
out. Since then the practice has gradually ceased, so that it is expected
it will soon be a thing of the past.
The disinfection of clothing was very satisfactorily performed at
the disinfecting station in the two steam disinfectors erected a few
years since by Messrs. Goddard, Massey & Warner, of Nottingham.
These machines continued to give the utmost satisfaction, and, with the
exception of the cost of new rubbers on the doors, have required no
money to be spent on them.
In addition to the Vestry's own work, the disinfection of clothing
for the Vestry of Stoke Newington is effected at a reasonable charge.
For a few days during the year, while the disinfector at St. Pancras
was undergoing repairs, permission was given to the Public Health
Department of that Vestry to disinfect clothing at the Islington station.
This privilege was all the more readily accorded because, before the
present station had been erected, that Vestry had gladly performed
similar work for this Parish.
The total number of rooms disinfected during the year was 2,358,
as against 2,701 in the preceding year ; and the total number of rooms
stripped was 1,033, compared with 1,158 in 1897.
Although notices were served, as required by the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, in every instance on the owners of property to
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