London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Poplar 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
145
(a) For Council Properties.
Steam disinfection of bedding and fumigation of furniture
in transit with Hydrogen Cyanide gas (prussic acid). The
latter is carried out by a firm of contractors.
(b) For Houses Generally.
Removal of woodwork and fumigation with sulphur where
possible and the spraying of walls, woodwork, cracks and
crevices, and furniture with Solution "D" combined with
steam disinfection of bedding where possible.
The following figures are of interest:—
| Premises treated | 860 |
| Premises re-inspected | 315 |
| Premises found to be re-infested | 95 |
| Percentage of re-infestations | 30 |
HCN treatment of furniture going into Poplar Borough Council flats:—
| Number of families concerned | 225 |
| Articles of furniture | 5,046 |
The following instances arc quoted for comparison with the London County Council's statistics and report:—
| (1) Block 64 flats (Sumner House, P.B.C.) | Occupied for 7 years. All tenants went in without any serious treatment of furniture or effects. |
| (2) Block 78 flats (Providence House, P.B.C.) | Occupied since April 1935. Practically the effects of all the families were treated with HCN. Re-infestations 5-6.4 per cent. |
| (3) Block 20 flats (Edgar House, P.B.C.) | Occupied since June 1935. All tenants HCN treated. Re-infestations 6-30 per cent. |
The Committee, after consideration of the London County Council
Memorandum and the Medical Officer of Health's report, agreed with
the Memorandum in general but definitely did not agree with the use