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78
With two disinfecting stations, two machines, four vans,
and the increased staff, Lambeth Parish is now wellequipped
in respect of this particular department of
sanitary administration, and the work during the year has
been well carried out, as shown in detail on pp. 81-83.
The routine carried out in Lambeth in disinfecting is to
fumigate with sulphurous acid or chlorine gas, the infected
room or rooms (the further cleansing of the premises and
the stripping of the wall-papers, if required, being carried
out by the occupiers or owners, or, in default, by the
Vestry), whilst the bedding, clothing, etc., is taken away
and thoroughly disinfected with steam (or destroyed at the
Wharf by burning, if very dirty and old). The small number
of return or secondary cases that occur prove that the above
methods are satisfactory and may be trusted to, despite
the feeling that is setting in in some quarters against the
use of sulphur fumigation. Whether such fumigation is
sufficient in itself, or depends for its efficacy upon the
subsequent cleansing and ventilation that must take place,
has not yet been satisfactorily decided.
In cases where medical men certify that disinfection has
been carried out to their satisfaction, the Vestry's Officers
do not interfere, but such cases are, fortunately, comparatively
few. Thus, during 1897, 11 certificates were
received in respect of rooms, 6 of bedding and clothing,
and 152 of both rooms and bedding, making a total of 169.
It is satisfactory, therefore, to report that practically the
whole of the disinfecting work is carried out by the Vestry's
own Officers, under the direction and supervision of the
Medical Officer of Health, and not by private owners or
occupiers, under the direction and supervision of their
medical attendants.