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60
The practice of the Public Health Department had hitherto been
as follows:—Upon receipt of information as to bug infestation, a
sanitary inspector examined the structure of the premises affected
whenever deemed desirable and the Council's disinfectors sprayed the
rooms with Vermicine and, if necessary, removed bedding for steam
disinfection. A nominal charge of 5s. was made for disinfecting a
room in a good class house, whilst no charge was made to the poorest
citizens. It should be noted that complaints of infestation and requests
for disinfestation come from better class residences as well as from
the poorer districts.
It is most important, if the matter of vermin eradiction is to be
dealt with successfully, to obtain the active co-operation of the tenants
of the rooms affected, and with a view to securing this co-operation
the following procedure has been instituted as an experiment:—
1. The Sanitary Inspector visits in order to satisfy himself
as to the dilapidation or otherwise of the structure of the premises
which may call for the removal of the architraves, etc., and also
to decide if it is necessary for bedding, etc., to be removed and
disinfected. No charge is made for such disinfection.
2. Tins of Vermicine (16 ozs.) suitably labelled, and hand
sprayers have been purchased in large quantities by the Public
Health Department and are retailed. to tenants for 1s. each.
These charges are remitted in special cases of poverty, etc., at
the discretion of the Medical Officer of Health.
By this procedure it is hoped that tenants will be encouraged to
persevere in the eradiction of vermin, such action on their part being
complementary to the removal of bedding for disinfection by the
Council's disinfectors, for which service a nominal charge is made
except in cases of poverty, and to any steps taken by the landlord or
owner as a result of the action of the Sanitary Inspectors.
The question of improved methods of disinfestation is the subject
of investigation by the Ministry of Health,