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45
Eradication of the Bed Bug.—The steps taken to rid
premises of vermin were substantially the same as reported last
year. In the last quarter of the year the whole question of future
procedure was under consideration by the Committee, and the
following report embodies all the points discussed:—
25th November, 1937.
The Chairman and Members of the
Public Health Committee.
Madam Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit the following notes on " Disinfestation."
"Verminous infestation "for present purposes refers to the
Bed Bug. The resistance of this insect to eradication is well
known and the disinfestant which acts most effectively on insect
and egg is Hydrocyanic Acid Gas. This agent is too lethal to
make its use desirable save in special circumstances.
In general, infestation does not appear to be such a problem
in Greenwich as it is in other Boroughs. Nevertheless it is a
fact that much of the older property in the Borough is infested,
especially that of the slum clearance type. An accepted cause
of the dissemination of the bug is traffic in second-hand furniture,
and the rehousing of families from houses due for demolition
without efficient treatment of the furniture and effects. It is
noticeable that in only a small percentage of cases can it be said
that infestation is the fault of the householder who as a rule,
is only too willing to co-operate.
Under ordinary circumstances five types of case merit
atention:—
1. Houses scheduled for demolition.
2. Dwellings found infested on Sanitary Inspectors' visit.
3. Council property which becomes infested.
4. Clothing and bedding.
5. Furniture.
1. Houses scheduled for demolition.
No action is taken in this Borough, or indeed in many of the
others, although the Local Authority has power to cleanse such
houses if necessary after the demolition order is made.
2. Dwellings found infested on Sanitary Inspectors'1 visit.
Infestation is often confined to one or two rooms. Complaint
sometimes arises when new tenant takes over a letting. In the
worst cases Sanitary Notices are served requiring the owner to