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137
CLEANSING OF PERSONS' ACT, 1897.
Under this Act power is given to local authorities to provide
free cleansing of persons infested with vermin, and disinfection
of their clothing. Such assistance is not to be considered
parochial relief or charitable allowance. Local authorities may
expend any reasonable sum on buildings, appliances and attendants
that may be required for the carrying out of the Act, and
any expenses for these purposes may be defrayed out of any rate
or fund applicable by the authority for general sanitary purposes
or for the relief of the poor.
The Guardians consented to provide for us in this matter at
their Casual Wards in Gray's Inn Lane. The bathing accommodation
consists of six baths on the men's side and three on
the women's. Applicants may attend at four p.m. daily, if
furnished with an Order, signed by the Medical Officer of Health.
During the year 51 persons applied and 34 were cleansed, at a
cost to the Borough of £10 4s. Od.
DISINFECTION.
After all cases of infectious diseases, in a certain number of
cases of verminous houses and in most notified cases of Phthisis,
and after all deaths from Phthisis, premises have been thoroughly
disinfected. Where necessary the walls have been stripped. No
charge is made for disinfection unless the householder requires it
to be done at a time when the officers are not on duty. In such
cases a nominal fee would be charged.
Articles of clothing, bedding, carpets, curtains, etc., have been
disinfected in the steam disinfecting apparatus (Goddard, Massey,
and Warner's and Thresh's machines). Two vans are used for
the conveyance of the articles. One van for bringing the
infected articles, and a second van for taking the disinfected
articles back again.
The following is the record of the work done during 1907:—