View report page

164
fever, 26 had diphtheria, and 12 had typhoid fever. It need
hardly be said that the need of shelter is imperative in the
case of families living in single rooms. This subject was
referred to the Sanitary Committee, which requested me to
report as to any premises which the Vestry might obtain for
the purpose referred to—meaning the hiring of one or more
houses. No suitable premises have been found,and in my opinion
the only satisfactory plan would be to erect a shelter and provide
it with a proper equipment. Such a place could be
provided most economically in connection with a public disinfecting
station. In the absence of provision for the purpose,
the Sanitary Inspectors have been authorised to pay for
lodgings for people dispossessed of their home during the
process of disinfection. It is, however, not easy to obtain
accommodation for the people, many of whom, being respectable,
object to go to a common lodging-house, where, indeed,
they would be neither welcome, nor, in their infectious condition,
desirable guests. The best solution of the existing difficulty
would be found in compliance with the provisions of the
law—in the interests of public health and humanity alike.
CLEANSING OF PERSONS ACT, 1897.
An Act thus entituled, passed during the session of 1897,
gives power to any local authority to permit any person infested
with vermin, to have the use of the apparatus (if any) which
the authority possess, for cleansing the person and his clothing,
and provides that local authorities may expend any reasonable
sum on buildings, appliances, and attendants, that may be
required for the carrying out of the Act. Effect was given to
the Act by an arrangement entered into with the Guardians,
whereby the apparatus, &c., at the able-bodied workhouse,
Mary Place, Potteries, was made available on payment of a
small fee by your Vestry. Three persons and their clothing
have been cleansed under this arrangement.