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TREATMENT &. BATHING CENTRE, KING- JAMES STREET.
During the year there has been a slight drop in the number of
actual cases occurring among adults resident in the Borough. The routine
visiting of cases and contacts who have failed to attend for treatment
has been maintained and the Health Visitor made 451 original visits.
The incidence of scabies among L.C.C. School children showed a
slight increase during the year.
The routine methods of treatment, other than those controlled by
the L.C.C., Education Department, have been Benzyl Benzoate treatments,
followed by medical examination seven days or more after the date of
the last treatment. In this connection, 54 medical sessions were held
at the Centre and. 1087 cases were examined. These were either discharged
or referred back for further treatment. Secondary ailments incident to
Scabies have been successfully treated before discharge or sent for
hospital treatment.
Disinfection of the personal clothing of all cases is carried out
by moans of electrical sterilization.
TREATMENT OF VERMINOUS PERSONS.
There has been a steady increase among the male patients and a
reduction in the number of female patients and school children.
The following figures indicate the principal sources from which
verminous cases were received:MALES.
Rowton House. One in Southwark and one in Lambeth. 215.
Salvation Army Hostel - Southwark only. 205
Casuals. 68
A.R.P. Shelters. 20
Marshalsea Road Common Lodging House. 20
Morning Post Home. 4
Embankment Fellowship, Lambeth. 4
FEMALES AND YOUNG CHILDREN.
83, Blackfriars Road, Common Lodging House. 14
78, Camberwell Gate. 8
Cecil House. 12
Elizabeth Baxter Hostel. 7
Church Army Hostel. 5
A.R.P. Shelters. 5
INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
Owing to the inadequate staffing of the L.C.C., Fever Hospitals,
admission of cases of Scarlet Fever and Measles were restricted to cases
where serious complications had arisen or whore the home conditions were
unsuitable. It is interesting to note that despite this change of the
general policy in regard to Scarlet Fever there has been no evidence
of dissemination of the disease. Fifty eight cases of Scarlet Fever
were treated at home.
The return of Service personnel from overseas ports where
Small-pox was prevalent led to cases occurring on H.M. Transports.
The Local Authority of the district is responsible for keeping in
touch with the various contacts, who were allowed to proceed to their
home address for the full period of incubation. 57 visits wore made
in this connection.
GENERAL DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION.
Disinfestation of verminous premises was carried out at the request
of the District Sanitary Inspector and re-housing Officer. In general
it may be stated that bug infestations were remarkably low and that the
bad cases occurred in rooms occupied by aged and infirm persons who
were not receiving adequate care and attention.
Towards the end of the year the Council was able to obtain a
supply of D.D.T. Insecticides. The introduction of this method of
vermin repression gave rise to changes in general procedure. Formerly
a contact insecticide was used and results were judged by the actual
kill. D.D.T. has a delayed action value extending over a period of many
months; the kill is not instantaneous. It is not possible, therefore,
at the present time, to offer any conclusive evidence of its
effectiveness.
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