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63
Disinfection and disinfestation
Methods of Disinfection : Following the notification of a case of
infectious disease requiring disinfection, an inspection is made
and the following methods used. The patient's room is sprayed
with a formaldehyde solution. The doors and windows are closed
and the room can be used again after five or six hours. Advice is
also given to the occupiers on the virtues of a thorough " spring
cleaning " which should be carried out in addition to the work of
disinfection by the Council's staff.
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
Three hundred and twenty-six treatments were given during the
year at the two personal cleansing stations to persons suffering from
scabies, 108 to adults, 169 to schoolchildren and 49 to children
under school age. In addition, 459 treatments for verminous
conditions were given, 68 to adults, 338 to schoolchildren and 53
to children under school age.