View report page

28
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1961
in respect of 11 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 1,143 lots
of fouled linen were collected and cleansed in 1961.
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.
Spraying of rooms by the disinfecting staff of the Council is
carried out, proprietary insecticides being used and infested bedding
is removed to the Disinfecting Station and treated by steam.
During the year 122 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 14 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.
Mortuary
The arrangement, made in 1956, between this Council and Battersea
Borough Council, whereby the latter undertook, on agreed terms,
to use their mortuary for the reception of bodies of Wandsworth
residents, continued and is working satisfactorily.
During the year 688 bodies of persons who died in Wandsworth
were received in the Battersea mortuary in addition to the reception
of bodies of persons dying in Battersea.
Crematorium
Under the Crematorium Regulations, 1930, 1,375 cremations were
authorised during 1961, compared with 1,565 in 1960.
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 1961 was 22.