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75
These figures clearly show the extent to which the facilities provided
by the Council, inadequate and unsuitable as they were, have been
availed of. It is gratifying to find that new, more commodious, better
adapted and equipped premises for carrying on this important health
service are at length an accomplished fact. Moreover, it should not be
overlooked that the work carried out at the Station forms a very important
link with that carried out by the Council in the cleansing and disinfection
of houses under the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
and other statutes. It should also be remembered that certain dangerous
infectious diseases are known to be spread by the agency of vermin, and
that probably the list of diseases so transmitted—if the causative
organisms could be discovered and isolated—would be found to be
extended.
Finally, the provision of a service like this is a valuable educational
factor in the promotion of personal hygiene. In working-class districts
like Battersea there is, unfortunately, a large proportion of dwellinghouses
where the opportunity for securing personal cleanliness is restricted
or lacking. In the circumstances, the provision of public facilities such
as those which the municipality can provide is not only justifiable but
indispensable, and an important adjunct to their other public health
services.

The new station provides greatly improved accommodation and
equipment to that hitherto available for carrying out this useful
public health work.
During 1923, 4,949 children and 212 adults were cleansed at the
Personal Cleansing Station. Of the 4,949 children attending, 184
were suffering from scabies and the remainder were verminous. The
children attended from the public elementary schools in Battersea
by arrangement with the Education Authority—the London County
Council—who have entered into a contract with the Borough
Council for the use of their Personal Cleansing Station. The treatment
and cleansing of the children is carried out under the