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dealt with, but it would not be possible to undertake the additional
duties which would arise from the general enforcement of these
by-laws without increasing the present staff of Sanitary Inspectors.
It is difficult to foreshadow the staff requirements which may
be necessary in connection with the survey to be undertaken
to ascertain the extent of overcrowding existing in the area in
accordance with the provisions of the Housing Bill which is now
before Parliament, but in my opinion, co-incident with these duties
which local authorities will be called upon to carry out, consideration
should be given to the question of the registration of all
dwelling-houses which come within the definition of houses divided
into separate tenements.
Verminous Rooms.
It is well known that a number of the older houses in certain
parts of the Borough are infested with bed bugs, and that some of the
tenants become so accustomed to their presence that they make no
serious effort to get rid of them.
Realising that the presence of these insects is frequently a
misfortune, the Health Department is at all times willing to assist
owners and tenants in the work of disinfestation. The sanitary
inspectors have instructions, in such cases, to arrange for the steam
disinfection of all bedding, the dismantling and thorough washing
of bedsteads, the cleansing of all furniture and effects, the removal
of picture rails, skirting boards, architraves of doorways, dadoes and
wall paper, and if necessary to advise the use of the painters blowlamp
to chinks and crevices.
The spraying of the infected rooms at intervals of three weeks
until extermination is complete is also undertaken by the Health
Department.
It is stated in a memorandum circulated to Local Authorities by
the Ministry of Health, on the bed bug and how deal with it, that
there is no agent more effective in ridding a house of bugs than the
application of soap and water to which a little washing soda has been
added. Occupiers of infested premises are accordingly urged to
apply these suggestions as a means of assisting in ridding themselves
of these pests.
Hydrocyanic acid gas and ethylene-oxide mixed with carbondioxide
are not used as fumigants in this Borough on account of their
danger to human beings.
During the year 984 verminous rooms were disinfested.
Underground Rooms used for Sleeping Purposes.
A survey of the Borough was made in 1934 by the sanitary
inspectors for the purpose of providing information as to the number
of underground rooms used for sleeping purposes, distinguishing
those contravening the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act,