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83
"with vermin. The Committee are anxious that a definite understanding"should
be arrived at between the local Sanitary Authority and the
"Council in regard to the arrangements for the attendance of the children
" at the cleansing stations.
"It is not possible to estimate at the present time the number of
"children which would require treatment, but the Committee are anxious
"to know what accommodation is available for the purpose, and they
"would like to be informed as to the number of children which could be
"cleansed per day at the station provided by your Council.
"With regard to the cost of cleansing children, section 122 (3) of
" the Children Act, 1908, provides that the Sanitary Authority shall, if
" so required by the local Education Authority, allow the local Education
"Authority to use the premises provided by the Sanitary Authority upon
" such payment (if any) as may be agreed between them.
" In this connection I shall be glad if you will kindly inform me
" what amount per head of children cleansed the St. Pancras Metropolitan
" liorough Council would be willing to accept from the Council in the
" event of the Council deciding to take advantage of the provision of the
" Children Act above referred to.
" I am, Sir,
" Your obedient Servant,
" (Signed) R. Bi.air."
Education Officer_
From information received some time ago, it appeared that 9 of the London
Boroughs had made no provision for the cleansing of verminous persons ; that
16 had made considerable provision, and 4 had made tentative provision to
carry out the Act.
It is recognised that the advent of school children to a cleansing station
enables the bedfellows also to be persuaded to come; and, furthermore,
enables the sanitary authority to cleanse the clothing and bedding, and also
other members of the family, as well as the dwelling itself. Without the
advent of children of school age, the possibility of obtaining the cleansing of
the person and clothing of persons of other ages at home, and the clothing
and bedding of the dwelling, would largely cease.
If verminous school children are cleansed by the education authority, they
cannot follow up the case into the home, and merely giving notice to the
sanitary authority of such cleansing would still deprive the sanitary authority
of the lever afforded by the personal attendance of verminous school children
who bring their bedfellows along with them, and lead to a further sequence of
events. Furthermore, the action of the education authority in cleansing
would cease during 9 or 10 weeks of holiday throughout the year. It would
seem somewhat anomalous that the sanitary authority should have the power
and duty of cleansing persons of both sexes and all ages except children of
schooI-age. It would be difficult to understand the object of the exception, as
such children are as much part of the community under the care of the
sanitary authorities of the Metropolitan Boroughs as persons under or over
school-age.