London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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St James's 1898

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St James's, Westminster]

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bottle should stand. A wire teapot-stand, or a wire frame
like an old-fashioned decanter-stand, is a satisfactory support,
made so as to give a half-inch space for the water to
boil freely in beneath the bottom of the bottle. The
milk may remain in the unopened stoppered bottle
until it is wanted for use. Its flavour will be but slightly
changed. This simple treatment will reduce practically to
nothing the danger of receiving milk from a cow suffering
from latent tuberculosis. To stamp out tubercle would
be the greatest of all the triumphs of sanitary science.
There are no cowhouses nor slaughterhouses in St.
James's.
DISINFECTION.
In the autumn of 1897 the Vestry of St. James ordered
the use of some form of disinfectant for the dust-bins of
the registered tenement-houses and some other parts of the
parish. The smell of chloride of lime was objected to, and
Sanitas powder was recommended by me for the purpose
of sprinkling the contents of these dust-bins. Of this
Sanitas powder 55 cwt. was used during the year 1898.
For the routine disinfection of apartments after the
occurrence of infectious disease, liquid sulphurous acid
(sulphur dioxide) is used. This gas is that produced by the
burning of sulphur, and its use is facilitated by reduction
to a liquid by means of pressure and cold. The liquid gas
is stored in tin cases, each containing the amount required
for an ordinary disinfection ; and, after sealing up the apartment,
the gas at once issues upon cutting off the end of a
small short leaden tube. Its use is safe and free from
risk of fire from the burning of sulphur. The liquid gas
gives a full and satisfactory application of the old sulphur
fumigation. After the full fumigation of the apartment,
careful washing with soap and water should be given to
door handles, door plates, hand-rails, and all paint work
which is liable to be touched. The walls, ceiling, and floor
should be carefully swept. In some cases extensive renovations
are required. But, short of actual incineration by