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The above table does not include yards or forecourts the
paving of which was merely repaired, nor does it include any
work done in connection with new buildings.
It should be said that no attempt was made to enforce the
paving of any yard or forecourt which was being really
cultivated as a garden. The yards and forecourts which were
paved were merely pieces of waste land, usually in a dirty and
untidy condition. The importance of the paving of the ground
round dwelling-houses has been dealt with in previous annual
reports in connection with the prevention of infantile
mortality. It is one of those common-sense measures the
value of which can be readily appreciated without any special
knowledge.
Disinfection.
The total number of rooms disinfected during the year
was 3,308. In most cases the disinfectant used was formic
aldehyde, either volatised in an Alformant lamp or applied in
solution as "formalin" by means of a spray. In verminous
rooms sulphur dioxide was used. In the case of every disease
but measles, the process of disinfection included the removal
of all bedding, clothing, and fabrics generally from the infected
rooms, and the disinfection of these articles by steam in the
Equifex machines at the Council's Disinfecting Station.
Infected articles which would be destroyed by steam, such as
boots, furs, &c., were disinfected by formic aldehyde in a
specially constructed zinc-lined chamber.
The following table shows the number of premises and
rooms disinfected during each month of 1905.