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72
hydrocyanic gas treatment of furniture, all the disinfestation
work is carried out by the Council's
employees.
The increased volume of this work represents a
substantial addition to the comfort and amenity of
the residents in the borough. While it is recognised
that in the older houses, the structural condition
prevents a thorough destruction of the bugs, fumigation
plus the active co-operation of the tenants can
do a great deal to keep them under, and steps are
now being taken systematically to prevent the Council's
new tenements becoming infested. It is to be
regretted that the L.C.C. has not yet taken similar
steps with regard to its new tenements.
Spraying Machines.
A small stock of spraying machines is kept for
issue on loan, with a quantity of insecticide, to residents
desirous of following up and completing the disinfestation
of their rooms. The sprayers were lent
on 293 occasions during the year, as compared with
408 in 1936.
Verminous Conditions.
The children in 4 families were reported from
the L.C.C. Cleansing Station as being infested
with vermin of some kind. In every case advice
as to the treatment of the clothing and bedding
was given and disinfestation by steam was offered
and in 3 cases was accepted.
Rooms were disinfested of vermin in 1,630 cases,
as compared with 902 in 1936.
Scabies or Itch.
229 children suffering from this disease were
excluded from the Elementary Schools. In addition,
23 cases of Scabies were reported by the London
Hospital, 18 by Bethnal Green Hospital, 16 by other
hospitals and 11 by private doctors. In all but
37 of these cases the bedding and clothing were
disinfected, 20 rooms were also fumigated after