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36
Disinfection and Disinfestation.
1,243 rooms were disinfected after cases of infectious or other disease.
A total of 1,371 rooms were treated for vermin, of which number 489 were
disinfested free of charge. The majority of free cases were on behalf of elderly or
infirm persons. The Council make a charge of 7s. 6d. for the first room and 5s. 0d.
for every additional room treated for verminous conditions.
The furniture and bedding of families moving to new Council dwellings were
treated in situ with a preparation of D.D.T. before removal and again when families
took up residence in the new accommodation. The effects of 308 families were so
treated as a precautionary measure.
In addition, 34 cases were treated, upon request, for infestation by wasps, ants,
cockroaches, flies, etc.
3 Bombed sites, 3 static water tanks and 1 air-raid shelter were also treated
for flies.
In order to meet the requirements of the South African Authorities, the
Council agreed to arrangements being made for the treatment with formalin of
second-hand stockings for export. A suitable room at the factory concerned was
allocated for this purpose, and the Sanitary Inspector supervised the treatment at
all stages.
Static Water Tanks.
Complaints continued to be received by the Department in respect of accumulations
of water in and the tipping of debris and organic matter into static water
tanks. By arrangement with the Cleansing Superintendent, organic and other debris
such as bedding, mattresses, etc. is removed upon request from this Department.
The London Fire Brigade also co-operated by pumping the stagnant water from
static water tanks, upon request.
Ashburton Grove Depot—Blowfly Infestation.
The treatment of the sidings at Ashburton Grove Refuse Disposal Depot with
D.D.T. continued throughout the summer months, with good results. The blowfly
nuisance at this Depot is now well under control, and the number of flies migrating
from this area is kept to a very low level.
In conjunction with representatives of the Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research and the Cleansing Superintendent, visits were paid to the Council's
Refuse tips in Hertfordshire by the Medical Officer of Health and the Chief Sanitary
Inspector, in order to investigate the infestation by flies at these tips.
During the year, the Council gave approval for certain experimental work on
blowflies to be carried out by the staff of the Pest Infestation Control Laboratory,
Slough, at Ashburton Grove Depot and other places in Islington.
The object of this particular experimental work was to trace the rate of spread
of blowflies—released from a particular point. Blowflies specially bred at the Laboratory
were fed on very small amounts of radio-active food material so that after
release, any blowflies caught in the traps provided could be examined for radioactivity.
Traps were set both in Islington and in neighbouring Boroughs at points
which it was considered might attract the blowflies, and it is understood that the