View report page

30
91. Overcrowding.—90 cases of overcrowding were found
and remedied, compared with 21 and 38 in the two preceding
years. This increase in overcrowding confirms what I have
said above and in my last report as to the need of house
accommodation for a certain class.
92. Disinfection.—Rooms in 513 houses were disinfected
after infectious disease. In a large number Formalin was used
for fumigation instead of Sulphur or Sulphur Dioxide.
This substance does not injure metal, its smell is less objectionable,
the time required is not so long, and its efficacy is said
to be greater. It is, unfortunately, rather dearer than Sulphur.
As in former years, bedding, &c., was disinfected by the Lyon
super-heated steam apparatus, in which it is exposed to a
temperature of 260° for 30 minutes.
A piece of disinfecting soap is now left at each house by the
disinfecting officer to be used for scrubbing floors, woodwork
and furniture in the infected rooms. It serves as a useful hint
in many cases of the desirability of this scrubbing.
The new disinfecting apparatus has not yet been provided. The
present apparatus requires four hours for drying the articles in
it after the 30 minutes saturation ; but the new appliances will
do the whole work in 1| hours.
93. Additional Inspector.—Mr. Welsh having retired from
the post of analyst's Inspector, Chief Inspector Duck was appointed
to do his work in addition to his other duties. The
work of Analyst's Inspector does not occupy a large amount of
time, but requires a good deal of acumen. I think Mr. Duck
admirably fitted for the post. In consequence partly of this,
partly of the immediate need of an inspector to devote himself
to the Reidhaven Road District, a new Inspector was advertised
for and Mr. Potter appointed. This is his first appointment