View report page

Borough Engineer and Surveyor arranged for the removal of
any offensive refuse which might give rise to a public
health nuisance or encourage the breeding of flies.
Control measures have been revolutionised by the
introduction of the new 'contact' insecticides, of which
D.D.T. was the first. Their great advantage is their persistance;
that is, their power to remain lethal to insects
for long periods after they have been applied to surfaces.
They can thus destroy successive generations of insects
and mites as they hatch. It has been found desirable to
use many varieties of the contact insecticides because
they vary in their lethal effect on different insects;
another reason is to prevent the development of insect
resistance, which has made its appearance in many parts
of the world. Resistance has not been encountered so far
in dealing with nuisances in Camberwell. Malathion, an
insecticide of different chemical composition, has been
used with success in the elimination of pests such as
fruit flies.
Vermin and Scabies
The table on page 56 shows the number of attendances
at the Council's Cleansing Station, Peckham Park Road, for
treatment for vermin (head and body lice) and scabies. It
will be noted that the numbers are still falling: there
were 146 attendances for vermin against 388 the previous
year and 85 for scabies compared with 148 in 1959. The
reduction was notable among female children but the figures
of 22 male and 80 female children are still far too high
and a reflection on the lack of hygiene consciousness in
certain families. It is surprising and inexcusable that
there should be any head louse infestation in this country
today.
11