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106
Cleansing of Children attending the Elementary
Schools in Deptford.
In July, 1912, this Council began the systematic cleansing of
verminous children attending the County Council Elementary Schools
in the Borough.
An agreement was made with the County Council whereby the
Borough Council is paid for each child cleansed. The municipal
cleansing station is therefore self-supporting and is situate in Watson
Street, adjoining the disinfecting station. The chief form of vermin
found have been head and body lice. In conjunction with body
cleansing, the staff of the Public Health Department have been
engaged in cleansing the clothes, bedding and rooms in connection with
these children.
During the two-and-a-half years that we have undertaken this
work 2,106 children have been cleansed, a large proportion of these
only once, but many others twice, and some three times in the same
month. In all 4,456 baths have been given and 4,456 sets of clothing
have been disinfected.

From a consideration of the above, it is evident that a great deal of
re-infection takes place.
Re-infection may be brought about in several ways:—
1. The home itself, the walls, floors and woodwork being suitable
breeding places for the breeding of vermin, &c.
2. By contact with some other verminous member of the family
above or below school age.
3. By contact with some article of bedding or clothing which has
escaped disinfection.
4. By the use of second-hand verminous articles of clothing which
are verminous.