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swimming bath for the purification of the water. At that
time the usual method of maintaining clean water was merely
to overflow the bath so as to remove dirt or foreign matter
which floated and to empty the bath twice a week and re-fill
with clean water. The use of the electrolytic fluid was a
very advanced idea and was the forerunner of the type of
chlorination which is the regular practice in all modern
swimming baths.
The fluid was distributed on a large scale and in 1924
was at the rate of 140,000 gallons per year. This rate remained
fairly constant during the next 25 years. Hypochlorite
solution is an excellent deodoriser and it is possible
that this virtue tended to encourage the belief that its disinfectant
properties are greater than is in fact the case.
During 1952 the Council considered very carefully all
the aspects of the production and distribution of electrolytic
fluid. Whereas in 1906 a plentiful and safe disinfectant
was of great importance in the preservation of the public
health the improvements in sanitation and hygiene now demand
different techniques and materials, Modern disinfectants
are far more efficient and a great deal safer than the disinfectants
v/hich were available at the beginning of the century.
Because of the increase in wages and prices of materials, the
cost of producing the electrolytic fluid had increased enormously
since the war; free distribution had led to some abuses;
the fluid, so far as could be ascertained, was being
used far more on account of its value as a bleach for laundry
than as a disinfectant and since the National Health Service
Act, 1946, came into force disinfectants for medical purposes
have been freely available when required.
The manufacture of electrolytic fluid was discontinued
on 31st December, 1952.
Swimming. Baths and Wash-houses.
The following bathing establishments are maintained by
the Council under the supervision of the Chief Baths Superintendent:-
33.