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77
CLEANSING OF PERSONS ACT, 1897.*
CLEANSING OF VERMINOUS CHILDREN.
PROPOSED BILL.
With respect to the bathing of verminous persons at the Shelter, to
prevent the bathers tampering with the gas of the geysers, stop cocks
were fixed outside the bathrooms. At times, on account of the number
of bathers, the two baths in the upper Shelter had to be used; therefore
means of communication was made between the bathrooms and the
attendants' room in the lower Shelter. Better ventilation was afforded to
the bathroom of the lower Shelter. The three geysers were overhauled
and funnels were fixed to convey any fumes to the open air. So far as
the means of communication between the bathrooms of the upper
Shelter and the attendants' room in the lower Shelter is concerned, communication
is necessary, in case a bather is taken ill whilst the bathing
attendant is away with the bather's clothes at the disinfecting apparatus.
During the year 856 persons had applied for baths and for their
clothes to be disinfected.
Cleansing of Verminous Children.
On October 12th, I received a communication from the Medical
Officer (Education) of the London County Council, as follows:—
" A scheme for cleansing the heads of children attending the
Schools under the supervision of the Council has been in operation
for some considerable time. There is now little difficulty in regard
to the heads, but we find children attending school with verminous
body and clothing. The following scheme has been applied in several
districts with marked success:—
"The Nurse visits the Schools, examines the children and notes
the names and addresses of all who are unfit to be in School owing
to their verminous condition. In some cases the names and addresses
are forwarded to the Medical Officers of Health, whose Inspectors
call at the homes and leave a copy of card (No. 1). In other cases
the Medical Officers of Health furnish me with a supply of cards
(No. 2) which the Head Teachers send to the parents.
* For cleansing of verminous rooms, see page 148.
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