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77
Cleansing of Persons Act.
Daring the year 93 persons (88 men and 5 women) infested with vermin
had their bodies and 1,690 articles of clothing disinfected, free of charge, at our
cleansing station (Goldsmith Street).
One hundred and twenty-six verminous rooms were disinfected.
In connection with the fumigation of verminous rooms, it is now our
practice to repeat the fumigation at the end of a week, by which time it is
expected that any eggs will have hatched out; a single fumigation of any
badly infested room cannot be regarded as satisfactory. In 61 cases last year
this course was adopted.
Verminous Conditions and Scabies.
In connection with our co-operation with the London County Council School
Medical Service, information is received from the Medical Officer of Health of the
London County Council respecting children attending elementary schools and
residing in the Borough, found to be verminous or suffering from scabies.
During the year information was received under this arrangement respecting
108 children reported to be verminous. In one case the same child was reported as
verminous on three different occasions in the year and in two cases the children
were reported a second time. All the cases were visited as soon as practicable
after receipt of each report. In nearly all the cases, the rooms occupied by the
family and the beds and bedding were found to be clean, although in seven cases
the homes and beds were reported as only "fairly" clean. In two cases where
the bedding and rooms were found to be verminous, arrangements were made for
the fumigation of the rooms and the bedding was removed to the Council's
disinfecting station for disinfection. In nine cases the Health Visitors reported
that nits were still observable in the hair of the children concerned. In these cases,
that nits were still observable in the hair of the children concerned. In these and a
considerable number of other cases, card instructing mothers on methods of cleaning
the heads of children were left with the parents or guardians, a number of whom
expressed their appreciation of these cards and promised to cam' out the instructions
given. In two cases where nits persisted, a shorter clipping of the hair was
recommended. Six children could not be traced, incorrect addresses having been
given or the families hnd moved. In no less than ten cases it was found that the
mothers were out at work daily, in four the mothers were in poor health, and in
four the mothers appeared to have defective sight.
Two children in the same family were reported to be suffering with scabies.
Disinfection of the home and bedding was carried out; both children recovered and
so far there has been no recurrence of the disease.
Shelter during Disinfection.
For some years past the arrangement has been in operation with the Council
of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury for accommodation to be provided at
their Reception House, Northampton Road, for residents of this Borough during
the disinfection of their homes after infectious disease,