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not poison themselves by eating soap! This is a rather
serious matter, I think, as a public health officer, that
such a universal agent amongst the poor people for
disinfecting and cleansing their rooms should be
deprived of its value by this reduction to 3 per cent,
strength.
For the treatment of "Scabies" the Danish
method (Kathiolan) will in future be employed as the
necessity for fumigation is dispensed with, and its
efficacy is assured.
As we have no "cleansing station" the treatment
of school children at the County Council cleansing
station is very prejudiced, for it is of little avail if the
parents and other persons above or below school age
at home are infested. There is in the Borough one
bath only for verminous persons, which in view of the
number of lodgers—Salvation Army Rests, etc.—is
absurd.
This matter is now in the hands of the Borough
Engineer, on the Public Health Committee's instructions.
Rats.—There are probably more rats in this and
other Metropolitan Boroughs than there were when
they caused the " Great Plague," but we now know
that they can cause other diseases besides Plague,
and we know, too, that the Brown Rat is not immune
to Plague, as was thought. The sewers contain many
of these pests, and when drains are defective they gain
an entry into the houses and the inmates hasten to the
Town Hall, but the remedy while it precludes the
subsequent entry of the rats, does not exterminate
them !
Sulphur fumigation by a "Clayton Apparatus"
works havoc amongst these pests where used. A
proper organized scheme and plan of campaign is being
prepared, and will be in charge of the Sanitary Inspectors,
and special attention will be given to the
subject in Rat Week.