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56
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
The Council maintain a Disinfecting Station at King James Street
at which all verminous clothing and bedding is dealt with. Adjoining
the station is the Council's Reception House at which families are temporarily
housed, when necessary, whilst the disinfestation of their homes
is being carried out.
Two methods are used for the treatment of verminous rooms:—
(1) The spraying of the room with Solution D, and sealing.
(2) Fumigating with sulphur and saltpetre, and sealing.
Removal of Tenants from Clearance Areas to New Houses.
The Glasgow method of disinfestation is used in these cases and is
further explained later in this report.
The method formerly used was by transporting furniture and effects
in a gas-tight furniture van in which fumigation by formalin vapour was
being carried out whilst in transit. This method was more or less satisfactory,
but there were many difficulties, so the Glasgow method was
adopted.
The results of this system have proved to be very good. No cases
of infestation of new premises have resulted from furniture dealt with in
this Borough before its removal. Reinfestation has occurred in a few
cases, but this has been due to the introduction of second-hand furniture
at a later date.
It is impracticable to use Hydrogen Cyanide for fumigation purposes
of dwelling-houses in Southwark.
When tenants are about to be re-housed a letter in the following
terms is addressed to them, and whilst the instructions contained in the
letter are being carried out the premises are under the direct supervision
of a Sanitary Inspector assisted by a disinfector. No case is removed
until a satisfactory report is received.
Dear Sir or Madam,
In re-housing the tenants from Clearance Areas, the Council are
taking every precaution to prevent the transmission of hugs or vermin
from the old to the new premises.
Your attention is directed to the enclosed instructions which my
Officers have orders to strictly enforce.
This is in the interest of all concerned, and your active cooperation
is earnestly requested.
Yours faithfully,
W. STOTT,
Medical Officer of Health.