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During the current year there was a resurgence of verminous
conditions and attendances rose by over 34% to a total of 470.
Lice are the natural vectors of typhus, trench and relapsing
fevers although in temperate climates infection seems generally to
be limited to skin organisms giving rise to impetigo, furunculosis
and eczema.
There is evidence to suggest that, in the London area, the head
louse (pediculus humanus capitis) is becoming resistant to the
organochlorine insecticides such as DDT and gamma BHC used
for present-day treatments. Fortunately, early results from clinical
trials initiated by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine into the use of malathion and carbaryl as alternative
methods of treatment are encouraging.
Even more startling was the recrudescence of scabies, treatments
for which increased by no less than 51% to 602, a total more than
3 times that for 1967.
A number of cases of scabies are likely to be complicated by
impetigo, a contagious complaint arising from the infection of
scratches by staphylococcal and/or streptococcal organisms.
Because impetigo is not a notifiable disease our information is
limited to the number of children reported by the schools as suffering
from this complaint. In 1969, there were 82 children so
reported.
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.