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59
several observers, that if a live rat is trapped, soaked in petroleum,
and then allowed to escape in the home, the home may be counted
upon as being rat free for many months afterwards.
THE DISINFECTING AND CLEANSING STATION.
During the year ending December 31st, 1910, the following
disinfecting and cleansing work was performed at the station:—
Total number of textile articles disinfected 6,536
Total number of books from Public Library disinfected 103
Total number of verminous persons cleansed 95
Of the verminous persons cleansed, 92 were children, mostly of
school ages; the 3 adults comprising 2 males and 1 female.
In addition to the disinfection of rooms on account of the
Compulsorily notifiable diseases, 14 rooms were fumigated on account
of vermin, 12 on account of consumption, and 6 on account of cancer.
During the year the Borough Council agreed with the Education
Department of the London County Council to bathe and cleanse
verminous school children, resident in Stoke Newington, on payment
of 2s. for the cleansing of each child, but in the event of any one
child requiring more than one bath a minimum charge of 2s. for a
series of 3 baths, or for each subsequent series or part of a series, no
series to extend over a period of more than 4 weeks.
It seems that stringent measures (under the Children Act) are
called for against those parents who allow their children frequently
to relapse into a verminous condition.
The Shelter has been maintained during the year. The Borough
Council is under a statutory obligation to maintain this provision, and
in the event of an epidemic of certain diseases, it will prove a most
useful auxiliary means of checking the spread.