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SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE BOROUGH
23
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,
proprietary insecticides being used. Infested bedding is removed to
the Disinfecting Station and treated by steam.
During the year 184 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 342 bodies were received there.
Under the Crematorium Regulations, 1930, 1,175 cremations were
authorised during 1953 as compared with 1,239 in 1952.
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 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 under the provisions of the Act
during 1953 was 26.