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21
Sanitary Inspection of the Borough
Eradiction of Bed Bugs
The methods employed for freeing infested houses include the
stripping of all paper from the walls, the removal of wooden
mouldings and skirtings and 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, proprietory insecticides being
used. Infested bedding is removed to the Disinfecting Station
and treated by steam.
During the year 253 houses were found to be infested with
bed bugs and disinfestation was carried out in all cases.
Special steps are taken to ensure that the furniture and
clothing of families about to be accommodated in the Council's
houses or 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 disenfested by steam at the Council's Disinfecting
Station.
Mortuary and Crematorium
TheMortuary at Wandsworth was used throughout the year
and 340 bodies were received there.
Under the Crematorium Regulations, 1930, 1,243 cremations
were authorised during 1951 as compared with 968 in 1950.