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26
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1958
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.
Laundering of Bed Linen of Aged and Infirm
Facilities have been made available by the Council for the
cleansing of fouled bed linen and personal effects of aged and
incontinent persons living alone.
At the beginning of the year collections and washing of bed linen
in respect of eight such cases were being dealt with and a further
15 cases were investigated during the year. In the majority of these,
it has been necessary to arrange for the articles to be collected at
regular intervals for cleansing and return to the owners. A total of
624 lots of fouled linen were collected and cleansed in 1958.
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 162 houses were found to be infested with bed
bugs and disinflation 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