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46
cope with the extra work, and the furnaces had to be lighted
at 4 a.m.—the Council's officers working that day many
hours overtime. Though, as I have already stated, this may
be a somewhat exaggerated case, it is a useful object lesson
as showing what may occur, even though only occasionally.
Once the principle is admitted of the Borough Council
doing this work for the Guardians, I am afraid that many
applications will be received from other large public institutions
throughout the Borough, asking for a similar concession.
In conclusion, I may state that the Borough Council is
prepared at all times to disinfect for the Guardians, rooms,
wards, etc., wherein infectious disease has broken out, and
in this connection I find that 568 such rooms, wards, etc.,
have been disinfected during 1904 by means of (a) spraying
with formalin, or perchloride of mercury solution, or (b)
fumigating with sulphur. It need not be added that the
Borough Council will at all times be glad to assist the Guardians
in connection with any special disinfecting work that
may be required, as they have done on many previous occasions,
e.g., in the event of the Guardians' own machines
breaking down, or being overtaxed; an extensive outbreak
of infectious disease in any of their buildings, etc.
Having regard to all the facts stated above, I cannot recommend
the Council to accede to the request of the Guardians
contained in their letter of the 4th April, 1905.
May 1st, 1905.
Joseph Priestley.