View report page

69
treatment of the clothing and bedding was given and
disinfestation by steam was offered and accepted in
one case.
Rooms were disinfested of vermin in 1,548 cases,
as compared with 1,630 in 1937 and 902 in 1936.
Scabies or Itch.
370 children suffering from this disease were
excluded from the Elementary Schools. In addition,
35 cases of Scabies were reported by the London
Hospital, 1 by Bethnal Green Hospital, and 4 by
private doctors. In all but 44 of these cases the
bedding and clothing were disinfected; 14 rooms were
also fumigated after Scabies. The figures indicate
that the increase in Scabies, which was noted last
year, still continues, and is reflected in the following
figures concerning adults. The prevalence seems to
be general in the East London Boroughs.
Personal Cleansing Station.
The Personal Cleansing Station continues to serve
a useful purpose as part of the Council's scheme for
the destruction of insect pests. The baths are
available for women every afternoon from Monday
to Friday. During the year 33 men, 15 women
and 8 children had 58 baths and their clothing
was disinfected for vermin, and 175 men, 197 women
and 90 young children had treatment, in addition to
baths and disinfection, on a total of 816 occasions,
for Scabies.
By arrangement with the Shoreditch and Stepney
Borough Councils, residents in those boroughs have
been dealt with at the Personal Cleansing Station
during the year as follows:—
Persons Baths
Scabies 273 531
Vermin 7 7
These figures are included in the foregoing figures
of total work done at the Station.