Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Annual report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford
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spraying chamber for the treatment of children and others who have
been found to be carriers of certain infectious diseases, although otherwise
healthy, or who have been excluded from school because the
germs of diphtheria have been found in the nose or throat. It is found
that the children quickly get rid of the germs under daily treatment for
15 minutes, and it is seldom necessary to continue it beyond five days.
The steam is impregnated with Izal and saline solution, and if an
astringent is required zinc sulphate solution of definite strength.
The number of rooms disinfected by the Council's staff during the
year was 2,380.
Disinfecting fluid is supplied gratis where required
For the removal of infected bedding, etc., and its return after disinfection
an adequate staff is maintained. There are two vans employed,
one used for collecting infected materials, and the other a pure van
for returning them after disinfection is completed. One man is employed
for collection, and another for returning the sterilised materials.
Cleansing and disinfection of 2,380 rooms in 2,125 houses in which
infectious diseases, etc., have occurred, have been carried out under the
direction of your Medical Officer of Health. The infected rooms
have been fumigated, and when necessary the walls of the disinfected
portion of the house have been stripped and the ceilings cleansed.
Table SHOWING THE NUMBER OF PREMISES, ROOMS AND BEDDING DISINFECTED DURING THE YEAR 1919
Date 1919 | Premises. | Rooms. | Beds. | Pillows. | Bolsters. | Mattresses. | Sheets. | Blankets | Odd articles | Articled destroyed. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | 89 | 94 | 56 | 113 | 45 | 17 | 68 | 83 | 117 | 1 bed |
February | 1)41 | 100 | 52 | 119 | 41 | 31 | 53 | 90 | 127 | 2 palliasses, 2 mattresses |
March | 107 | 131 | 44 | 89 | 32 | 18 | 106 | 88 | 241 | 1 bed, I mattress, 1 rug |
April | 144 | 196 | 72 | 134 | 53 | 16 | 76 | 86 | 154 | |
May | 184 | 217 | 56 | 119 | 39 | 15 | 38 | 53 | 81 | |
June | 173 | 196 | 37 | 69 | 28 | 11 | 42 | 36 | 199 | |
July | 188 | 200 | 56 | 107 | 40 | 22 | 68 | 68 | 140 | 1 mattress, 1 bolster, |
August | 272 | 302 | 48 | 106 | 42 | 21 | 48 | 58 | 99 | 8 pillows |
September | 170 | 177 | 55 | 97 | 42 | 20 | 44 | 50 | 90 | |
October | 185 | 189 | 83 | 156 | 55 | 20 | 66 | 81 | 167 | |
November | 259 | 289 | 81 | 161 | 55 | 31 | 60 | 115 | 180 | |
December | 260 | 289 | 92 | 199 | 88 | 37 | 85 | 132 | 233 | 3 odd articles |
Total | 2125 | 2380 | 732 | 1369 | 560 | 259 | 754 | 940 | 1828 |