London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Greenwich 1968

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]

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236
Fifty-seven requests for spraying for other reasons such as bad
smells, offensive deposits, etc., were met by treatments to 189 rooms
and 3 external areas.
Precautionary Spraying.—During the year, at 25 premises,
unwanted bedding, furniture and miscellaneous household effects
were sprayed as a precautionary measure prior to removal by the
Borough Engineer and Planning Officer's staff. Treatment was
effected in 52 rooms and 1 external area.
Verminous Conditions
The procedure adopted to combat infestation by lice and general
verminous conditions is essentially the same.
Treatment for all cases and contacts is carried out at the Tunnel
Avenue, Lionel Road and Plumstead High Street Cleansing
Stations and the following Return summarises the work carried
out during the year:—

Attendances
VerminScabies
Adults43120
Children under school age4459
School children263219
Totals350398

Attendances for verminous conditions fell slightly during the
current year but those for scabies showed an increase of 114% from
186 in 1967 to the present figure of 398.
Disinfection
The disinfection of rooms is effected by the formaldehyde spray.
This is carried out on removal of the infectious case or termination
of the illness, and, on request, for conditions other than notifiable.
In cases of request a charge may be made depending on the circumstances
of the case. Bedding and wearing apparel can be removed
to the Disinfecting Station, White Hart Road, where they can be
submitted to steam disinfection. Books may be treated with
formalin.