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154
Of the total number who were cleansed, it will be noted that
993 were men, 13 women and 656 children, the latter coming
mainly from the Public Elementary Schools. In connection with
the cleansing of these 1.662 persons, 15,334 articles of clothing,
weighing 6 tons 16cwt. 1 gr. 221b., were removed for disinfection
to the Disinfecting Station.
As showing the extent to which the work at the Personal
Cleansing Station is growing, it will be useful to compare the
annual figures representing the numbers of persons using the
Station. In July, 1906, the Station was first opened, and up to
the 31st December in that year 141 persons had attended and
been cleansed. During 1907 the numbers rose to 621—500 men,
4 women and 117 children—and during the past year these figures
had nearly trebled. The growing popularity of the Station has
accordingly become embarrassing, the accommodation provided
proving inadequate to cope with the work. The Station is, in
addition, unsuitable in other respects for the purpose, and the
time has arrived when it is absolutely necessary to make other
arrangements.
The subject has been under the consideration of the Health
Committee for some time. As considerable use has been made of
the station by the children attending the Public Elementary
Schools, the duty of enforcing the cleansing of these children
devolves on the London County Council as the Education Authority,
under the provisions of the Children's Act, 1908. The Act,
which comes into force on the 1st April, 1909, empowers the
London County Council for this purpose to make use of the
apparatus, etc., of the Local Sanitarv Authority on terms to be
agreed on. The Committee have recommended the Council to
approach the London County Council before extending the present
station, with the object of ascertaining the extent to which they
(the L.C.C.) would be prepared to contribute to the expense of
the Nation. This the Council resolved to do, and negotiations
are still pending.