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authorities should not now be satisfied with dry-heat apparatus, and where this means of disinfection
exists it should be replaced by proper and efficient steam apparatus." The number of districts provided
with steam apparatus has increased from 16 in April last to 22 at the present time.
It is worthy of observation that nine authorities still arrange with a contractor for the disinfection
of infected articles. I have no reason for thinking that the work of disinfection is not now as
carefully and thoroughly done under these arrangements as if the disinfection were performed by the
authorities themselves, but I do not regard it as entirely satisfactory as a principle that this duty should
be in other hands than those of the sanitary authority. It is obvious that the difficulty of finding
suitable sites for the erection of disinfecting apparatus is considerable in central districts of London,
and that there would be economy if districts were to combine in the manner provided by section 59 (2)
of the Public Health (London) Act. There would, moreover, be advantage if in connection with the
machinery for disinfection a laundry were provided where articles which can be boiled could be thus
treated and returned in a clean condition to their owners. In the new disinfecting station erected by
the Vestry of Islington a laundry is provided.
Apparatus for destruction.
The following statement shows the existing arrangements for the destruction as distinguished
from the disinfection of infected articles—
Kensington By contract.
HammersmithBurnt in a heap on the ground at the vestry's wharf after
being saturated with paraffin.
Fulham By contractor, who has a cremator erected for the purpose.
Paddington By contractor.
Chelsea Burnt, after soaking the goods in paraffin, at one of the
vestry's wharves. No special apparatus.
St. George, Hanover-square Burnt in a destructor erected at a cost of £170. The fumes
from the burning material before escaping pass through the
furnace of the disinfector.
Westminster (St. Margaret and Provision is made for destruction as distinguished from disinSt.
John) fection of infected articles.
St. James, Westminster When occasion requires, bedding is burnt in the large furnaces
for the steam boilers at the baths and washhouses.
Marylebone No special appliance.
Hampstead Bedding, clothing, &c., burnt in the dust destructor when
necessary.
St. Pancras Destroyed in a furnace which adjoins the disinfecting
apparatus.
Islington A furnace has been erected at the new disinfecting station.
Hackney
Stoke Newington
St. Giles Removed by contractor in covered vans and burnt in a
destructor.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields By contractor who has a cremator erected for the purpose.
Strand A destructor has been in use since 1885.
Holborn Sent to contractor.
Clerkenwell Occasionally burnt in the wharf in Commercial-road.
St. Luke An apparatus has been erected for the purpose of destroying
any old, dirty and infected articles.
Shoreditch Burnt in a destructor which is under the same roof as the
disinfector.
Bethnal-green Burnt at the stone-yard after being saturated with paraffin.
No special apparatus.
Whitechapel Burnt in the dust destructor.
St. George-in-the-East No special apparatus.
Limehouse No provision made for destruction at present.
Mile End Old Town Burnt in a destructor.
Poplar—
Poplar and Bromley Burnt in the open air on land adjoining the disinfecting
apparatus. No special apparatus.
Bow
St. Saviour, Southwark Burnt in an open stove in the yard after being subjected for
some hours to temperature of 280° F. in the disinfecting oven.
St. George, Southwark Burnt in the furnace of disinfector. Medical officer of health
is not satisfied with this arrangement, and points out the
need for a proper incinerator.
Newington An incinerator is being constructed.
St. Olave Burnt in a furnace at St. Olave's wharf, Shad Thames.
Bermondsey
Rotherhithe Mode of destruction left to sanitary inspector to determine.
Lambeth Burnt in a furnace in the stone-yard.
Battersea Burnt in the dust destructor.
Wandsworth Clapham possesses a special furnace in the stone-yard.
Putney and Wandsworth have made no provision, but contractor
for disinfection could destroy articles. In Streatham
infected articles when of little value are burnt.