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52
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
Disinfection.—No change has to be recorded in the practice of the Department either as
regards rooms or goods. It has not been necessary to issue any notice for the delivery of
articles exposed to infection for the purposes of disinfection, and only one notice to "cleanse
and whitewash" premises after infectious illness was required.
The articles dealt with by the contractor weighed just under 57 tons, 7 tons less than
in 1903. The cost amounted to £1,181, nearly £200 below the total for 1903 (£1,355).
On disinfectants (formaldehyde, soap and chloride of lime) the expenditure last year was
£24, the same as in 1903. The expenditure under this head has declined for some years, and
a further reduction is anticipated during the current year.
The provision of a Disinfection Station has been under consideration of the Public
Health Committee and Council during the past year. It has been decided to provide such a
station, the work to be done thereat to include disinfection and rough drying of washable
articles. No decision has been arrived at on the question of re-making beds, as has been
done by the Contractor. In June of last year the Public Health Committee submitted a
scheme for the erection of a station outside the Metropolitan Area, on land belonging to the
Council. The scheme was not adopted bv the Council, and the whole question was referred
to a Special Committee. On the recommendation of that Committee it was decided to
utilise a site in Kensal Road, and provisional plans were forwarded to the Local Government
Board in December last.
Family Shelter.—No one has made use of the shelter for two years. The substitution
of the formaldehyde sprav for sulphur, as the means of room disinfection, has made such
shelter almost unnecessary.

In 19 instances the supply was restored within 24 hours, and in 4 others after 2 days'
interval. Notices to restore supply were required in 8 instances, and two prosecutions were
necessary. (See Legal Proceedings).
Mortuaries.—During the year 209 bodies were received at the Paddington Green
Mortuary and 24 at that in Kensal Road. Inquests were held on 229 of the bodies received
at the former Mortuary and 24 at the latter. One hundred and fourteen post-mortem
examinations were made, viz., 103 at Paddington Green and 11 at Kensal Road.
Schools and School Attendance.—The London County Council became the Education
Authority for the Metropolis during the year. One important result of the change in
administration is the extension of the Authority's control, qua medical supervision, to the
Voluntary (Non-Provided) Schools. These are now on the same basis as the Provided
(late Board) Schools.