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51
Books and other articles which cannot be steam disinfected are
also treated by exposure to a formalin vapour.
Disinfestation of Verminous Rooms : Articles in the room requiring
treatment are removed for steam disinfestation. The room is
sprayed with an insecticide containing Pybuthrin and Lindane/
D.D.T., which has a prolonged residual effect. Where there is
heavy infestation, architraves and mouldings are required to be
eased for deeper penetration of the insecticide.
Control of Insect Pests: The construction of large blocks of
flats containing covered ducts taking hot water, plumbing and
drainage pipes has raised a problem of insect infestation. These
ducts form an ideal harbourage for insects which would be difficult
to deal with by normal hand spraying. A Microsol Mist
Generator is therefore used for the purpose and this apparatus,
which has a small motor unit, is capable of spraying a fine mist or
fog of insecticide to a distance of 50 feet, the mist settling on
to the surfaces of the duct and the piping contained therein.
Personal Cleansing Station
Seven hundred and fifty treatments were given during the year
at the Personal Cleansing Station in Sheepcote Lane to persons
suffering from scabies, 361 to adults, 294 to schoolchildren and 95
to children under school age. In addition 442 treatments for
verminous conditions were given, 46 to adults, 347 to schoolchildren
and 49 to children under school age.
Ninety-two treatments to residents of the London Borough of
Lambeth were also given under the existing arrangements with that
Authority.
Laundry Service for Incontinent Persons
During the year approximately 4,000 bags, each containing about
10 lb. of soiled linen were collected, and the contents laundered
and returned to the owners. This valuable service continues to be
in great demand by old and infirm persons.
Disinfection and Laundry Services
I referred in my report last year to the need to concentrate these
services in one building and in July the use of the disinfecting
station at Blackshaw Road, Tooting was discontinued. Some of
the more serviceable equipment there was transferred to the Battersea
disinfecting station to supplement the existing equipment.
Reference was also made last year to the lack of facilities at Tooting
and it may be of interest at this time to make some historical
reference to the old Blackshaw Road station.
At the time this station was first opened on 21st September,
1905, the facilities which it offered, augmented in the following
year by the addition of two bath houses, made it one of the most