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136
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
The periodical cleansing of cisterns is a most important
matter, but unfortunately it is only very seldom done voluntarily.
Numerous examples of this have been met with by the
Inspectors during the year; they were told on many occasions
by the occupier that although there was a cistern they did not
know where it was, and in several cases, it was found in most
inaccessible positions. In some parts of the Borough, under a
bedroom floor was a favourite site, and in other parts the top of
the house with no available access by long ladders.
The number of unclassified nuisances dealt with was 1,137,
a considerable increase. The parish of Streatham alone showing
an increase from 54 to 507.
Disinfection.
During the year the number of infectious diseases notified
showed a considerable increase, compared with previous years,
and therefore the amount of disinfection done was proportionately
increased.
1,953 rooms were disinfected, compared with 1,184 in the
previous year, and 1,892 lots of bedding (418 in Clapham, 116 in
Putney, 536 in Streatham, 176 in Tooting, and 646 in Wandsworth),
compared with 1,130.
All the work has been done most satisfactorily at the Disinfecting
Station in Wandsworth, and only a few complaints were
received during the year as to damage done to bedding. Every
care is taken by the disinfectors, but it is quite impossible for the
bedding, some of which is badly stained on being received, to be
exposed to the necessary temperature, without fixing some of the
stains already existing, and making them more visible.
The 1,892 lots of bedding dealt with comprised the following
articles:—1,535 beds, 1,493 bolsters, 3,842 pillows, 1,530 mattresses,
1,656 palliasses, 3,023 sheets, 2,272 quilts, 1,498 cushions,
14,900 articles of clothing, 4,449 blankets, 2,238 carpets, and 6,492
extra articles, a total of 44,928 articles, compared with 22,472 in
1901.