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58
(3) The methods employed for ensuring that the belongings of tenants
are free from vermin before removal to Council houses:—
The furniture of all prospective Council tenants is inspected a few
days prior to commencement of tenancy and, if found to be infested,
one of the following two methods is employed to free the furniture
from vermin, according to whether the infestation is slight or severe:—
(x) Spraying of furniture with or without steam disinfestation of
bedding.
(2) HCN fumigation of furniture in vans during transit to Council
houses and steam disinfestation of bedding.
(4) Whether the work of disinfestation is carried out by the Local
Authority or by a contractor:—
HCN fumigation of furniture is carried out by a contractor, and
spraying of furniture and steam disinfestation of bedding is carried out
by the staff of the Public Health Department.
(2) Mr. C. H. Medland, who is concerned chiefly with the
disinfestation of private dwelling-houses.
Disinfestation of Private Houses.
On complaints being received of verminous conditions the premises
are visited by the District Inspector, who serves Intimations to abate
the nuisances, and a letter offering the Council's co-operation in taking
such remedial action as may be necessary is included.
It is found that the majority of property owners and tenants avail
themselves of this service, which is free of charge. When notification
is received that this remedial work is being put in hand, the Sanitary
Inspector in charge of disinfestation meets the owner, or his representative,
at the premises concerned. Arrangements are then made for the
walls and ceilings to be stripped, and for the removal of the architraves
and mouldings. When this has been done the Council's workmen enter
the premises; infested articles of bedding and clothing are removed for
steam disinfestation, and furniture treated with a blowlamp or vermicide;
the doors, windows, ventilators and fireplaces are then sealed and a
mixture of 95% commercial sulphur and 5% potassium nitrate is burnt
in the room. Whenever possible the room is left for 24 hours, and when
opened is carefully examined for the presence of vermin; as a precautionary