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132
an average annual economy of something like £400
might fairly be expected, and in years of epidemics
much more. There would be the additional satisfaction
of having the work under the immediate supervision
of the Vestry's officials.
The disinfection of rooms is carried out in the old
style, viz., with sulphur fumes from cake sulphur or
bisulphide of carbon ; the latter is used now only when
it is desirable to hasten the process of disinfection.
As a rule the room is kept closed for twenty-four
hours after igniting the sulphur. This practice has
been pretty generally abandoned on the continent,
spraying with a solution of corrosive sublimate being
used instead. Such spraying takes, on an average,
about two hours to complete, and according to the
published observations appears to be more certain in
its action. Bugs and fleas have been observed alive
after a full exposure for twenty-four hours to sulphur
fumes, so that the process is somewhat discredited. No
case of recurrent infection attributable to failure of the
process of disinfection, has been observed, but there have
been instances in which its efficiency has been doubted.
In September last a "family shelter" was opened
for the reception of persons who were dispossessed of
their rooms whilst disinfection was in progress. The
house is an ordinary six-roomed cottage which has
been fitted with a bath and furnished with such things
as were absolutely necessary. The annual expenditure,
including rent, rates, and taxes, is estimated at