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also medical bath treatments for Scabious and verminous
persons and schoolchildren from both Southwark and Lambeth.
The Scabies treatments, of course, are fast decreasing, and
although the treatments for verminous persons were less than
in 1948, there were substantial increases both of verminous
bedding and verminous rooms disinfested, as well as of the
quantity of goods destroyed. In addition to a large quantity of
unwanted household articles, usually dirty or verminous,
which were removed and destroyed by this section, there were
96 cases during the year where the entire effects of persons who
had died or been removed to institutions, etc., had to be
destroyed. This entailed a considerable amount of work in the
complete stripping and disinfestation of the rooms and articles,
and sorting of the various items prior to removal and destruction.
In many of these instances there were considerable
quantities of filthy rubbish—paper, rags and various odd
collections—all of which had to be carefully examined, before
destruction, for any articles or documents of value.
The Superintendent of the Treatment and Bathing Centre
investigates most cases of infectious diseases where disinfection
is involved, and although the number of infectious diseases
generally was fewer than in 1948, his total visits showed little
change. These cases often necessitated more than one visit;
the Smallpox and Anthrax cases notified during the year alone
accounted for numerous inspections in the investigation and
supervision of contacts, whilst several instances of persons
arriving in this Borough by air from Smallpox areas abroad or
Smallpox infected vessels also entailed much time in periodical
visiting.
A considerable amount of work is also concerned with
enquiries into cases for burial under the National Assistance
Act, and the disinfection, storage and sale, disposal or destruction
of the effects of these persons.
Demonstrations of the work of this Station are always in
frequent demand, and during 1949, 23 such sessions were
arranged for approximately 160 students.