London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wandsworth 1969

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]

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52
Bedding and clothing are collected and steam-treated at the
Disinfecting Station. Sheets, pillow cases and hand towels are
exposed to formalin vapour in a special chamber prior to being
washed in the Council's laundry.
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 sometimes been a cause 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
Four hundred and sixty-five treatments were given during the
year at the two personal cleansing stations to persons suffering from
scabies, 188 to adults, 196 to schoolchildren and 81 to children
under school age. In addition, 575 treatments for verminous
conditions were given, 66 to adults, 435 to schoolchildren and 74
to children under school age.

These figures include the following treatments carried out under arrangements made with the London Borough of Lambeth relating to their residents and children attending schools in Lambeth: —

Adults and pre-school childrenSchool childrenTotal
Scabies 392463
Vermin 244569

Laundry service for incontinent persons
During the year approximately 5,000 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.
Coroner's Court and Mortuary
Details as to the number of inquests held at the Coroner's Court,
and bodies received into the Mortuary, during 1969, are set out in
the following table :—