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88
small building erected in the yard of the Council's Depot at Monck
Street.
This consists of an apparatus for first warming the air inside the van
to a controlled temperature and the subsequent introduction of gas at
the required concentration. The apparatus is so designed that the operation
can be carried out with the minimum of risk to the operator.
The van having been charged with gas is left for a period of some three
hours after which heated air is again employed under controlled pressure
to eject the residual gas, this operation being effected by means of a
ventilating tube in the roof. This latter operation is maintained for a
prescribed period during which it is calculated that all accumulations of
gas have been eliminated. The van is then opened up and tests for the
presence of gas are made with certain chemical re-agents. If these prove
satisfactory, the van proceeds to the new dwelling to unload its contents.
Further tests are then carried out to ensure that the furniture is free from
concentrations of gas, particular attention being paid to articles in which
gas is likely to be retained, such as upholstered articles, wardrobes, etc.
Bedding and similar furnishings are subjected to disinfection by steam
at the Council's Disinfecting Station.
The furniture and effects so treated have been periodically reinspected
but in no case has there been discovered any recurrence of vermin.
The Council has provided furnished accommodation in its own dwellings
for families who may require temporary accommodation whilst their
effects are being disinfected, but it is found from experience that in the
majority of cases they prefer to make their own arrangements.
The work under this contract had not been started before the end of the
year owing to the flats not being ready for occupation but a commencement
was made in the middle of February, 1936.
The disinfecting staff dealt with the bedding of some 50 families,
who were rehoused in the dwellings of the London County Council and the
Westminster Housing Trust, the furniture and effects being disinfected by
those bodies.

*Library books, 45; private books, 106; school books, 270.