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13
Treatment and Bathing Centre
This Centre deals with the disinfection and disinfestation
of infected, verminous, and scabious persons, premises and
goods. The Superintendent investigates all cases of infectious
disease where disinfection, special enquiries, or supervision
of contacts are necessitated.
Whilst the decline in scabies has resulted in a decrease in
treatments for this disease, there was again a substantial
increase in the number of verminous treatments due to the
large number of both male and female casual cases from
hostels, etc., where much stricter precautions are being taken,
and also to the numerous members of schoolchildren's families
who were themselves found to be verminous.
There has also been an increase in the amount of verminous
bedding and premises dealt with, but this was probably due
more to higher standards of living than to any great increase
in vermin.
Disinfestation of trade goods is also carried out at this
Centre, and whilst the quantity has been much less than last
year, a large amount of disinfection of bedding, etc., in
connection with the Council's Rehousing Scheme has been
undertaken, and there has also been a considerable increase
in the amount of departmental laundry which is carried out
at these premises.
The work of the Centre includes enquiries into cases for
burial under the National Assistance Act, and the disinfestation,
storage, and sale or disposal of the effects of these
persons.
Demonstrations of the work of the Treatment Centre are
always in frequent demand, and during 1951 sessions were
arranged for 86 students.
Analysis of work carried out during the year.
Verminous Rooms Sprayed (D. D.T.) 2,270
Verminous Household Goods Destroyed 29 tons 15 cwts.
Infected Rooms Sprayed (Formaldehyde) 160
Infected Household Goods Destroyed Nil
Hospital Wards disinfected 68
Common Lodging Houses disinfested 329 rooms
Rooms disinfected by request (Tuberculosis,
Measles, Cancer deaths, etc.) 72
Trade goods disinfected (steam) 257 bales straw envelopes
and 4 feather beds.
Library books disinfected 138
Departmental laundry 5,042 towels, 632 swabs
and dusters, 9 sheets.
Council's Rehousing (Disinfection of
bedding, etc.) 104 families.