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168 families were represented by school children.
Considering the pre-war yearly figure for head cleansings was over
2,000 the present day figure would appear to be quite good but having regard
to the change in social conditions over the past 20 years the present
day position leaves much to be desired.
The county Council retain their use of the Centre for treatment of
school children and special attention has been given to head infestations
at the Welfare Centres and Day Nurseries.
Infected school children together with contacts of pre-school age
have been followed up in the home and treatment (for all ages) is available
at the Medicinal Baths. Advice is always given as to the best methods of
home treatment and of preventing recurrence.
The fact that the cleansing station is open again does not seem to be
general knowledge in the ranks of the homeless, only about half of the
usual number called during the year seeking a bath. Of the 15 male callers,
two were employed eight appeared fit for work of some kind, five were in
need of medical attention, and of these it appeared that three would have
benefitted from institutional care One man who was undergoing a medical
examination was noted by his doctor to have bed bugs in his clothing and
was referred to the station for cleansing
The figure of 164 cases treated for Scabies during the year is considerably
lower than any ever recorded since the Baths opened in 1923 47
families were treated accounting for 51 confirmed cases. 32 persons were
also treated as contacts. There were ten re- infections and one family was
responsible for seven of them.
A pleasing feature is the continued drop in the attendance of school
children.
During the year cases from Acton Brentford and Chiswick Ealing Feltham,
Heston and Isleworth Richmond and southall received treatment, and
Barnes Ealing and Heston and Isleworth Borough Councils and the London
County Council used our centre for steam sterilisation of bedding.
On 60 occasions the West London Hospital used the service for sterilisation
purposes for a total of 349 articles, and five requests were received
from the hospital for formaldehyde disinfection.
As in previous years the Town Hall carpets and soft furnishings were
sprayed as a protection against moths and once again Gammexane Emulsion
(I. C I. ) was used.
The mobile team which is available for dealing with homes requiring
disinfestation was very actively engaged during the year The total number
of rooms sprayed amounted to 549 compared with 285 in 1956.
Many people are still sending articles of clothing and materials to
relatives living abroad, and some Eastern European countries require that
the articles shall be disinfected before being despatched and a Certificate
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