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60
A fluid insecticide is issued at the Disinfectant Depots, and sprayers
loaned to tenants in order to rid rooms and contents of bugs. 117 gallons
of insecticide were distributed during the year.
Bug Infestation.
Bug infestation is referred to in the special report which was printed
as an Appendix in the Annual Report for 1932.
The Bed-bug.
Consequent upon a report of a Committee which was set up by the
Ministry of Health in August, 1933, the Ministry of Health issued a
circular letter enclosing a copy of a Memorandum on the subject of ' 'The
bed-bug and how to deal with it." A copy of this Memorandum was sent
to each member of the Public Health Committee, and also supplied to each
of the Sanitary Inspectors and Health Visitors, including the Health
Visitors of the Royal College of St. Katharine.
The Committee appreciated that it was impossible to carry out the
recommendations contained in the Memorandum with the existing staff
and upon their recommendation the Council resolved to appoint a Sanitary
Inspector, a motor driver and two disinfestors for this work.
The Ministry of Health approved of the Council's proposal to appoint
a Sanitary Inspector. The Inspector commenced duty on November 12th.
With the appointment of this special staff, whenever the District
Sanitary Inspectors report that premises are bug infested a letter is sent
to the owners offering co-operation in disinfestation measures.
As strict observance of the legal formalities would cause delay, the
Public Health Committee authorised the Medical Officer of Health to
take the necessary steps to disinfest articles and premises immediately
such cases arise, subject to reporting to the Committee at their next
statutory meeting and to the normal legal steps being followed in the case
of difficult or recalcitrant persons.
The letter sent to the owner points out that the Department is prepared
to co-operate with him in arranging for the disinfestation of articles at