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103
cards for future reference. The heads of all schools
have been informed of cases occurring among the members
of families of their scholars, and also the date of
disinfection. Six hundred and thirty-three (633) rooms
have been disinfected during the year, and bedding,
etc., to the weight of 27½ tons, removed for purification,
at a cost of £875 4s. 7d. After certain of the
infectious diseases, the houses have been specially
inspected, to ascertain the existence of insanitary
conditions, the underground drains being exposed and
tested with water. Last year 231 houses were so
examined.
At present the method of disinfection employed is
that of sulphur fumigation, after carefully closing all
openings and crevices. The process, judged by the
absence of recurrence of disease, appears to be effectual,
but it is somewhat too long to be convenient. From
the time of lighting the sulphur to the opening of the
room, it is necessary to allow 24 hours at least
to pass. This explains the need of temporary shelter
during disinfection, especially when the family occupies
a one-room tenement. In Paris an air spray is used,
by which it is said that 4 hours is sufficient to purify
the room ; but the process cannot be considered to be
absolutely safe, as it has been tested in England, and
living germs have been detected on the walls sprayed
over.
The disinfection of bedding, etc., is done by a
Contractor, who does the work well. It is, however,