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25
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE BOROUGH
Eradication of Bed Bugs
The methods employed for freeing infested houses includes 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 236 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
Under the arrangements made in 1956 with Battersea Borough
Council, their mortuary continued to be used for the reception of
bodies of Wandsworth residents.
During the year, in addition to the reception of bodies of persons
dying in Battersea, the mortuary received 659 bodies of persons who
died in Wandsworth.
Crematorium
Under the Crematorium Regulations, 1930, 1,582 cremations were
authorised during 1959, compared with 1,495 in 1958.
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 1959 was 31.