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130
In spite of adverse criticisms, the process has been a success for
eight years.*
Hypochlorite of magnesium belongs to the magnesia and not to the
alkali group. It is not caustic, is non-poisonous, and to the clothes is the
least destructive of all the hypochlorites. It is obvious that the stable
solutions of electrolytically-made hypochlorites of magnesium are
preferable to those of sodium and potassium or even calcium, because
for the purposes of rendering the three last mentioned solutions stable
there would have to be used hydroxide of the metals of the alkali or the
alkaline earth calcium, which are extremely caustic, alkaline, and very
soluble, and where varying strengths of electrolytic fluid, containing the
hypochlorites of sodium and potassium, are produced, one may add too
much or too little of the hydroxides of the alkalies when working with
unskilled labour. But when the extremely insoluble hydroxide or
oxide of magnesium is added and mixed, one can add and stir in any
quantity, but only the necessary amount will be absorbed.
VERMINOUS CHILDREN ATTENDING SCHOOLS.†
LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL (GENERAL POWERS)
ACT, 1907, CHILDREN ACT, 1908.
Number of Verminous Children Bathed ; Itch Cases.
Re-infesting of School Children and the Purchasing of Secondhand
Wearing Apparel.
Number of Verminous Children Bathed.
The following numbers of children were cleansed, during the year
ended 31st December, at the Council's Cleansing Station, Glaucus Street,
under an agreement renewed with the London County Council 28th August
1912, by which the London County Council make payment to the Poplar
Borough Council at the rate of two shillings per cleansing, such payment
to cover any number of attendances of the child for a period of one
calendar month from the date of the first cleansing, viz. :—
* In addition to the plants already supplied to the British War Office and Admiralty,
plants have been sent to Finland, Buenos Aires, Rangoon and Guernsey. The Gateshead
Municipal Corporation have also erected a plant and a large plant has been installed
for the Portsmouth Corporation. It is interesting to note that in the last case, the fluid
to be electrolysed is sea-water itself which, of course, is close at hand, and a ready and
powerful disinfectant is manufactured by this process without cost of materials but merely
that of electric current.
One feels sure that, when this is generally known, without doubt. other seaside
towns will follow the example of Portsmouth, and afford an unlimited supply of a disinfectant
for municipal purposes for the benefit of the health of the townspeople and visitors.
Whilst this report is being written small plant is on order for Finchley.
† Verminous Rooms, London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1904, see page 229.