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12
Treatment and Bathing Centre
There was a slight decrease in the number of verminous
persons treated during the year, and the majority of the treatments
were for head-lice. Body-lice infestations were, with
few exceptions, confined to aged persons and some vagrants.
This fact may well be indicative of the general higher standards
of living. Aged and infirm people who might have required
cleansing were visited at regular intervals and conveyed to the
Centre for treatment when necessary.
Pubic lice infestations commonly occurred only to adult
male persons, but some instances of this form of infestation
were observed on children's hair and eyebrows.
The somewhat higher figure for the treatment of premises with
various forms of insect vermin infestations is understandable,
in view of the early warm summer, and the fact that, in general,
the public now realise that with the availability of modern
means of disinfestation, such infestations need not be endured.
The higher number of infectious disease enquiries and visits
was due mainly to the increase in Scarlet Fever notifications,
many of which were nursed at home. In addition, disinfection
of premises was offered to the occupants in every case of the
removal to hospital or the death of a Tuberculosis sufferer.
24 demonstrations, attended by 153 students, were held at the
Centre during the year. Those attending were mostly student
nurses and medical students.
A considerable amount of work was carried out in connection
with burials under the National Assistance Act. The goods and
effects of such cases are collected, disinfected and stored at the
Centre prior to arrangements made for their removal.
In addition to the above, the functions of the Centre include
disinfection and disinfestation of trade goods, and bedding,
etc., in connection with the Councils' rehousing scheme;
and also departmental laundry.
Infecious Disease Cases: Enquiries and Visits.
Total—525 as under:
Tuberculosis deaths and removals: 36
Scarlet Fever 312
Diphtheria 8
Poliomyelitis 22
Paratyphoid 2
Food Poisoning 10
Erysipelas 17
Dysentery 34
Meningococcal
infections 15
Special fog death enquiries: 53
Other investigations: 16