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In cases where bedding, etc., was found to be infested, it was removed to the Kensington Borough
Council's Disinfecting Station for steam treatment.
Disinfestation of Furniture, etc., with Hydrogen Cyanide.—Following the completion of the Borough
Council's flats at Dudley House it became necessary to arrange for the removal and disinfestation of
the furniture and household effects of the ingoing tenants. The Medical Officer of Health of
Kensington was asked if he would undertake the work under the Agreement in force between the
two Councils, but replied that owing to the large number of removals in his own Borough at that
time he was not in a position to offer us the necessary facilities only over a protracted period. As
this would have meant a loss of rent to the Council an Agreement was entered into with the Associated
Fumigators, Limited. The Agreement with the Company provides, inter alia, for the works specified
as follows :—
(a) Remove all the effects as directed by the Medical Officer, load into a suitably constructed
gas tight van to be provided by the Company and convey the loaded van to the Council's
Wharf specified.
(b) Treat each load of effects with hydrogen cyanide gas of sufficiently high concentration to
kill all bugs and other vermin and their ova, the treatment to extend over a period of not
less than four hours.
(c) After fumigation thoroughly ventilate the van and where applicable beat the effects and
take all such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the effects are free from any dangerous
concentration of hydrogen cyanide gas.
(d) Carry out tests at the request and to the satisfaction of the Medical Officer for the presence
of hydrogen cyanide gas after ventilating the treated effects.
(e) Deliver all the effects when free from the said hydrogen cyanide gas to the dwelling houses
as directed by the Medical Officer on the same day as removal and disinfestation takes place
as aforesaid and on delivery to the said dwelling houses issue a certificate to the Medical
Officer that at the-time of such delivery and thereafter all the effects are free from hydrogen
cyanide gas.
A charge is made by the Company of two pounds (£2) per household when two or more are dealt
with in one day or two pounds fifteen shillings (£2 15s. Od.) when only one household is dealt with
in one day, the work to be to the satisfaction of the Medical Officer.
The steam disinfection of bedding, etc., is being carried out by Kensington under the present
contract at no extra charge.
During the year the Kensington Borough Council removed and treated the furniture, etc., of
eight families and the Associated Fumigators, Limited, seventy-nine families. The cost of the work
was £185.
COMPULSORY REMOVAL OF AGED, INFIRM OR DISEASED PERSONS.
By virtue of Section 224 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, it is possible in London to
remove to " a suitable hospital or other institution, or other suitable place," by compulsion under
certain circumstances, aged, infirm, sick or physically incapacitated persons.
The circumstances which may enable an order for removal to be obtained are somewhat involved.
Unless the person concerned is suffering from disease it is necessary for the premises to be insanitary.
It is in all cases necessary as well to prove that the person is not receiving proper attention and that
removal is necessary in the interests of the affected person and of other persons.
It was not necessary for application to be made to the Court for the removal of any person during
the year.
SUPPLY OF MEDICINE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
Section 227 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, empowers a sanitary authority, with the
sanction of the Minister of Health, to provide a " temporary supply of medicine and medical
assistance for the poor inhabitants of their district." Under the provisions of this Section three
residents of the Borough were provided with insulin at a cost to the Council of £3 7s. Od.
FOULING OF PUBLIC FOOTWAYS BY DOGS.
The following bye-law was made by the Council on the 29th July, 1924, for the good rule and
government of the Borough :—
No person being in charge of a dog in any street or public place and having the dog on a lead
shall allow or permit such dog to deposit its excrement upon the public footway.
Any person offending against this bye-law shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding 40 shillings.
During 1938 there were eight prosecutions, fines ranging from 2s. 6d. to 10s being imposed.
The publicity which has been given to the bye-law has had good effect in causing many dozowners
to be more careful. One minor difficulty in enforcing the bye-law is that an offender cannot
be compelled to divulge his identity, and cannot be given in charge as the police do not enforce the
bye-law.
Notices concerning the b\'e-law were frequently posted on shingle-bins throughout the Boroui'h.