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Disinfections.
During the year 434 rooms and 4,936 articles of bedding, clothing, etc., were
disinfected after various infectious diseases, inclusive of tuberculosis.
Twenty-five rooms and 257 articles of bedding, clothing, etc., were disinfected
on account of tuberculosis.
Special attention is devoted to toys and more particularly to any toy put in
the mouth. One hundred and thirty books and 125 toys were disinfected.
The disinfections also included 1 locker and 1 hospital ward.
Cleansing of Persons Act.
During the year 102 persons (98 men and 4 women) infested with vermin
had their bodies and 1,039 articles of clothing disinfected, free of charge, at our
cleansing station (Goldsmith Street).
Shelter during Disinfection.
For some years past an 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. In the year 1937 the
accommodation was used by four Holborn families comprising seven persons.
Extermination of Vermin.
The number of Council dwellings found to be infested with vermin was 22
and the number of other dwellings 46; all these were disinfested. The total
number of rooms disinfested was 137. This work was carried out by the Council's
staff.
In dealing with verminous rooms, the fumigation is repeated, whenever
practicable, at the end of twelve to sixteen days, 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 73 cases last year this
second fumigation was carried out. When this course was for any reason
impracticable, the occupiers of the rooms were advised to use a disinfecting spray,
and to take such other measures as appeared likely to prevent recurrence of the
infestation.