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88
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 rcceivcd under this arrangement respecting 18 children
in 11 homes. Two children were reported as verminous twice during the year. All
the homes were visited as soon as practicable after the receipt of each report. In one home
only the Health Visitor reported dirty conditions, although in this home there was no definite
evidence of vermin : there were two very dirty flock mattresses and the rooms were very dirty.
The mattresses were destroyed and the rooms cleansed. In another case, although the home
was clean it was found that the mother went out to work and to some extent consequently
neglected the child. After the service of notice this mother gave up her work; as her husband
was in good regular work there was no need for her to work.
Two cases of scabies were brought to our knowledge. In one instance the home was
found to be clean and disinfection was carried out after the patient's complete recovery.
In the second instance, two children were found to be infected in August, 1929. They were
admitted to the Holborn and Finsbury Hospital from which they were discharged in October
as being cured. On the removal of the children to hospital, all the bedding, children's clothes,
towels, etc., were disinfected, and the rooms occupied by the family were fumigated. In the
first mouth of the present year (1930) information was received that one of these children
was again suffering from scabies as was also her mother. Both were attending hospital for
treatment; arrangements were made for the mother to attend the cleansing station for sulphur
baths daily for a week. The personal clothing and bed linen were disinfected at the Council's
Disinfecting Station, the process being repeated at weekly intervals for a month. At the
end of February, 1930, the family was reported well, and the children were then again attending
school. At! the date of the preparation of this report further visits had been made and
the family was still reported to be well.
Extermination of Vermin.
With a view to encouraging active steps for the extermination of vermin,
arrangements were continued for a supply of a vermin-killing solution to be stocked
in the Health Department and to be available at cost price for occupiers of
infested houses and tenements. A small sprayer for diffusing the solution was also
made available on loan.
The solution has been found effective for the destruction of bugs, cockroaches,
fleas and other small insect pests, and the convenience of being able to obtain
a small quantity has been appreciated by a number of occupiers of small tenements.
During the year eight gallons of the solution in small quantities were sold to 24
purchasers.
One hundred and seventeen verminous rooms were disinfested.
When fumigating verminous rooms we endeavour, whenever practicable, to
repeat the fumigation at the end of a week, by which time it is expected that any
eggs of bugs will have hatched out; a single fumigation of any severely infested
room cannot be regarded as satisfactory. In 71 cases last year this second fumigation
was carried out. Where this course for any reason was impracticable the
occupiers were encouraged to use the solution referred to above or take other
effective steps to prevent any recurrence of the nuisance.