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86 Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1938.
whereby the whole of the water is dealt with every three to 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
continuously circulated and chlorinated automatically the whole
time the bath is in use.
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 272 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, three Council houses
were found to be infested and were 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 1938 the furniture of 141 families was disinfected by
Hydrogen Cyanide gas, and the cost of this service was £427.