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16
A high proportion of business premises in the borough have their
own contracts with private service companies for the control and destruction
of rats and mice. This largely accounts for the smallness of the
figure relating to business premises.
Disinfection and Cleansing
The use of the disinfector at the South-Eastern Fever Hospital (now
renamed the New Cross General Hospital) was continued as a temporary
measure throughout the year, the Bathing Station also occupying part of
the hospital premises. Neither of these are entirely satisfactory. It is also
anticipated that the Regional Hospital Board will require the premises to
be vacated in the near future. The construction of the new Disinfection
and Bathing Station was commenced in December, 1952, and it is
hoped that it will be completed in late 1953.
The following is a summary of the work of disinfection, disinfestation
and cleansing:—
Premises disinfected (infectious disease) 252
Premises disinfected (requests) 37
Premises disinfected (verminous condition) 479
Premises disinfected (removals) 1
Total number of articles disinfected 42,769
Books disinfected 358
Number of articles destroyed at owner's request 339
In addition to the normal disinfection a considerable amount of work
was done for firms engaged in exporting second-hand clothing and rags
mainly to certain parts of Africa where the clothing is not allowed to be
imported unless previously disinfected.
The total dealt with during 1952 was 25,463 garments and approximately
1 ton of rags. The charges for this service amounted to £81 16s. 6d.
Bathing Centre
Number of school children who received baths
(other than for scabies) 1,109
Number of school children who received baths for
the treatment of scabies 56
Adults who received baths (other than for scabies) 492
Scabies baths for adults 34
Water Supply
The water supply for domestic purposes for the whole of the Borough
is obtained from the mains of the Metropolitan Water Board.
Routine bacteriological examination is not normally carried out by
the Council but the Water Board have supplied information on the
bacteriological purity when requested.
The water supply has been fully satisfactory throughout the year.