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25
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE BOROUGH
During the year under review it was not found necessary to take
action except in one case only, which was that of an old lady,
aged 74 years, who was living alone in a flat under insanitary conditions
and was physically incapacitated and unable to devote to
herself proper care and attention. Action had been initiated in
December, 1951, by my predecessor, Dr. F. G. Caley, and at the
court hearing of this case in the following January Dr. Caley himself
attended.
A court order was granted for a period of three months and the
old lady was removed to a home under the control of the London
County Council.
Eradication 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. 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 322 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
disinfested by steam at the Council's Disinfecting Station.
Mortuary and Crematorium
The Mortuary at Wandsworth was used throughout the year
and 445 bodies were received there.
Under the Crematorium Regulations, 1930, 1,239 cremations were
authorised during 1952 as compared with 1,243 in 1951.
Burial of the Dead
Under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, it is the
responsibility of the Council to arrange for the burial or cremation
of persons who die or are found dead in the Borough, and for whom
no suitable burial arrangements are made or are being made.
The number of persons buried or cremated under the provisions
of the Act during 1952 was 26.