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94
DISINFECTING DEPARTMENT.
The statistics of this Department show the amount of
work done, with particulars. The new Equifex disinfecting
machine has proved of great value during the year—the
automatic record of disinfections being especially useful as
checking the work of the man in charge. In connection
with the machine several slight alterations and improvements
have been made, including the covering of the
boiler-feeder with a galvanised iron cover, fitting of a
condenser on to the steam exhaust chimney, and the
inserting of two steam traps between the coils and the
drain—improvements which have reduced the noise in
connection with the working of the machine to a minimum,
and economised the steam. The boiler and furnace have
also been lagged with magnesia and wood, thereby saving
heat, and making it more convenient for the attendant
to work in close proximity thereto. The Vestry has
decided to have the house (Arlington Lodge) put into
proper repair and the top rooms fitted up for use as living
rooms for the chief disinfecting officer, who will have
charge of, and be responsible for, the safe keeping of the
plant; whilst the lower part of the house is to be fitted
up and used as a refuge for families from houses that are
undergoing disinfection—a bath, etc., being supplied. In
addition, the Vestry has decided to fit up a bacteriological
laboratory in one of the rooms of the house, which is being
fitted up accordingly. A 10-inch wall has been built round
the garden at a cost of £121, completely shutting off the
disinfecting station from the surrounding houses.
The Lambeth Vestry is now well equipped as regards its
disinfecting department, and the work carried out during
the last year has been satisfactory and compares favourably