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53
Two cases were investigated by Magistrates and compulsory
orders were obtained.
Ninety-nine houses were disinfected after Infectious
diseases, and in no instance was there a recurrence of the
disease.
Mr. Phimister, the Inspector of Nuisances, carries out
the fumigation and disinfection of houses after infectious
disease, under my direction, most satisfactorily. I
have great confidence in sulphurous acid gas as a
germicide, and much depends on the mode of application.
The room must be hermetically sealed before the sulphur
is ignited, and from a pound to a pound and a half of
roll sulphur used to every 1,000 cubic feet of air space.
Our practice is to leave the room closed for twentyfour
hours. All infected articles are ordered to be left
in the room. The walls of the disinfected room are
afterwards stripped and it is cleansed and lime whited.
In thirteen years experience I have not had a single
case of recurrence of the disease after this has been done.
Bedding, clothing, &c., was burnt in seven cases; this
is only done in certain protracted cases.
The figures in respect of new sewers, of new drains
and drains relaid, and syphon traps affixed, alterations
of sinks to discharge outside and of baths and lavatory
wastes, as well as rain-water pipes disconnected from
drains, repairs of water-closets and water laid on, are all
given in the Table as well as those relating to the
removal of pig and other nuisances.
The Table will repay perusal and shows there is no
falling off in sanitary work, but rather increased activity
in all directions.