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52
Once more the treatment of house refuse was successfully
accomplished by arrangement with the Borough Engineer whereby
at each weekly collection a small quantity of "Gammexane"
powder was introduced to each refuse bin by means of sprinkler-top
tins. In addition, the collecting vans were sprayed with D.D.T. in
kerosene and dust chutes in the numerous blocks of flats all received
fortnightly treatment, this latter work being carried out as soon as
possible after dust collection.
Static water sites, ponds, ditches, etc. were sprayed with
D.D.T. and in certain instances "Gammexane" powder was employed.
Much ingenuity is necessary for the purpose of overcoming
the difficulties encountered at many of the places not easily
accessible for treatment.
Food shops and cafes are difficult subjects to deal with in this
respect and great care has to be exercised in the use of D.D.T. and
"Gammexane," but these premises generally were treated with
good results.
Offensive deposits, such as old mattresses, dead animals,
food debris, etc., on vacant and bombed sites are a constant source
of nuisance: in these cases combustible materials are burned on
the site or collected and destroyed centrally and the site is then
sprayed in the usual way.
Disinfestation of Verminous Premises.—D.D.T. in kerosene
continues to prove the most effective vermicidal agent in
dealing with verminous houses.
During the year the Sanitary Inspectors dealt with 149 cases
of dirty and verminous houses compared with 174 for 1950. The
Disinfestation staff sprayed 399 rooms and contents as compared
with 448 last year.
In 304 cases the bedding and effects were removed to the
Council's Disinfecting Station for steam disinfection.
Other pests, such as cockroaches, ants, moths, and wasps, were
rather more troublesome this year and 119 houses were treated
effectively with D.D.T.
Complaints were received during the Autumn of flies appearing
in houses in swarms. Upon investigation these were found to be
'Thaumatomyia Notata' probably seeking winter shelter. Efforts
were made to trace the source of these infestations without success.
Public Baths and Washhouses.—Greenwich is in the happy
position of having a modern establishment for its Public Baths and
Washhouses, situated in Trafalgar Road and covering an area of
1¾ acres. Originally there were 3 large swimming baths, 74 ladies