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27
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE BOROUGH
In four of the Borough 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 three to
four hours and chlorinated automatically during its circulation
from the filtration plant to the bath.
Removal to suitable premises of persons in need of care and attention—
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 47
In dealing with the problems of the many aged and infirm persons
in the Borough, close liaison has been maintained between the Public
Health Staff and those members of the London County Council
divisional staff who are concerned with the care of the aged.
This co-operation with the County Council has meant that in
dealing with the large number of aged persons whose capacity to look
after themselves adequately was in question, it was again possible to
make satisfactory arrangements for their care and attention without
the necessity of having to take action under Section 47 of the National
Assistance Act, 1948.
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 167 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
Mention was made in last year's report to the current policy of
concentrating, at fewer public mortuaries in the London area than
was previously the case, bodies upon which post-mortem examination
for forensic purposes is required. In view of this policy, the
whole question of accommodation for bodies in relation to the