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SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE BOROUGH 27
neighbours. When an aged person's physical enfeeblement is associated
with deterioration in environmental hygiene, the district public
health inspectors are always ready to advise, not only on the remedying
of defects but also on the procedures to be adopted in order to
prevent any further deterioration.
When other measures have failed to achieve the desired result,
removal to a Home or hospital may be necessary as empowered
under the National Assistance Acts. This procedure is always contemplated
with the greatest reluctance, for the element of compulsion
in itself may produce an adverse effect upon the patient's condition.
Fortunately, by virtue of much perseverance and great efforts on the
part of all concerned, it was possible throughout the year to make
satisfactory arrangements, without resort to legal action.
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 six such cases were being dealt with and a further 37
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
1,113 lots of fouled linen were collected and cleansed in 1960.
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 259 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. The furniture of 15 families was dealt with during the
year. Bedding is not subjected to hydrogen cyanide but is disinfested
by steam at the Council's Disinfecting Station.