View report page

219
account of the fact that what is required is that the disinfectant
should be applied directly to infected surfaces of a room. It is
therefore better, wherever practicable, to apply the disinfectant
by washing or spraying. Accordingly we have adopted the
spray method, and now, disinfectant solution (chloride of
lime, 1-2 per cent.) is sprayed on to walls, floors, etc. Thorough
and wet cleansing of infected rooms is the desideratum.
In accordance with the views expressed above, and in my
Annual Report for Clerkenwell, 1900 (p. 71), we have used only
Sulphurous Acid Gas, Formalin, and Chloride of Lime (1-2 per
cent.). In cases of Small-pox we have used Formalin gaseous
disinfection first (30 tablets to each 1,000 cubic ft.) and followed
it by wet spraying of the surfaces of rooms and staircases used
by the patient (Chloride of Lime). After the gaseous disinfection,
the wearing apparel and bed-clothes, etc., are removed
for steam disinfection. In houses and rooms, where necessary,
"stripping and cleansing" has also been carried out. In cases
of ordinary infectious disease the same disinfectants are used,
and wet disinfection and cleansing of surface is practised.
Following deaths from phthisis, and where possible after
notification, exactly the same principles have guided us. In
phthisis-infected houses which are otherwise clean, simple but
thorough cleansing is generally sufficient.
Reception Houses.—During disinfection of rooms, free
accommodation is provided for the temporarily displaced persons.
We have two reception houses, one (41, Macclesfield Street) in
the Eastern Division of the Borough, and a second (47,
Northampton Road), when necessary, in the Western Division.
When the house in Macclesfield Street was closed, on account
of Small-pox existing there, the London County Council kindly
lent us a house in Goswell Road, which was in their possession
owing to street improvements.
The total number using the reception houses was 72 families
of 310 persons.