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190
1908]
DISINFECTION.
The year 1908 has been a busy one with respect to disinfection in its
various branches.
Under this heading is included the cleansing, spraying, and stripping of
rooms, schools, and class rooms, as well as the disinfection of infected and
verminous articles of clothing ; and household bedding, etc.
Disinfection of Rooms.—There were 2,533 rooms, as compared with
2,402 in 1907, disinfected. As a rule formaldehyde, either in its gaseous form
or as a spirit was used. In a few cases, however, sulphurous acid gas was
employed, especially where vermin was present.
The Cleaning and Stripping of Rooms.—818 rooms, as contrasted
with 760 in the previous year, were cleansed, sprayed or stripped, the largest
amount of work being done in the fourth quarter of the year.

It may be noted that people as a rule are very willing to have their
rooms disinfected, and indeed at times are clamorous to have more done in the
way of stripping the walls than the Public Health Department deems necessary
or indeed, can call on the owners to execute.
Disinfection of Schools —The class rooms in 28 public elementary
schools, including the Guardians' School, Hornsey Road, were disinfected
after Measles, Scarlet Fever or Diphtheria, while one room was disinfected
because of its verminous condition.
The following statement shows the class rooms disinfected, as well as
the diseases owing to whose presence in them this disinfection became necessary.
1st Quarter. Arlington Square L.C.C. School, Infants' Department
(Measles).
Guardians' Schools, Hornsey Road, Boys' Dormitories,
Schoolrooms, and Probationers' Wards (Scarlet
Fever).
Home and Colonial College, Highbury Hill (Scarlet
Fever).
Yerbury Road L.C.C. School, Infants (Measles).