London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wandsworth 1937

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]

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82 Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1937.
In three of the Council's swimming baths, the water is purified
by a process of continuous circulation through a filtration plant
whereby the whole of the water is dealt with every four hours and
chlorinated automatically during its circulation from the filtration
plant to the bath.
In the other Bath belonging to the Council, each bath is emptied
of water as often as necessary and refilled with fresh water, which is
chlorinated automatically before the bath is used, and also during
use, as may be necessary to meet the needs of the bathing load.
Most of the other swimming pools have a chlorination plant
installed for the purification of the water, but in one of the private
pools, cleansing is effected by changing the water.
Eradication of Bed Bugs.
During the year 172 houses were found to be infested with
bed bugs, and notices were served in each case on the persons responsible
for the infestation. In addition one Council house was
found to be infested and was dealt with. All the premises were
disinfested.
The methods employed for freeing infested houses is—the
stripping of all paper from the walls, the removal of all wood mouldings
and skirtings, and the application of a blow lamp to the room
surfaces. Sulphur and "Cimex" candles are often used by house
owners, and the spraying of rooms by the disinfecting staff of the
Council is carried out, "D" solution being used. Infested bedding
is removed to the Disinfecting Station and treated with steam.
Special steps are taken to ensure that the furniture and clothing
of families about to be accommodated in the Council's houses
and flats are freed from vermin. Hydrogen Cyanide gas is used
for the disinfestation of the furniture, which is placed in special
vans constructed for the purpose, the process being carried out
by a Contractor. Bedding is not subjected to Hydrogen Cyanide,
but is disinfected by steam at the Council's Disinfecting Station.
During 1937 the furniture of 106 families was disinfected by
Hydrogen Cyanide gas, and the cost of this service was £381 10s.