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The number of districts provided with steam apparatus has increased from 16 in April, 1893, to
24 at the present time. I have, in previous reports, pointed out the necessity of providing for the disinfection
of infected articles suitable steam apparatus. I think some step should now be taken to
secure for the inhabitants of sanitary districts in which dry-heat alone is now depended upon, the
greater security which disinfection by steam affords. In other words, I would submit that the failure to
provide proper steam apparatus should be regarded as failure to provide "all necessary apparatus" as
required by section 59 of the Public Health (London) Act.
It is worthy of observation that eight authorities still arrange with a contractor for the disinfection
of infected articles. I do not regard it as a satisfactory principle that this work should be in other
hands than those of the sanitary authority.
There would be advantage if in connection with the machinery for disinfection, a laundry
were provided, thus giving opportunity for the washing as well as the disinfection of articles which can
be thus treated. In the 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.
Hammersmith Burnt 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 at the vestry's depot, Monk-street, for
St. John) destruction as distinguished from disinfection 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. The dust destructor at King's-road is also
available for this purpose.
Islington A crematory has been erected at the disinfecting station.
Hackney No apparatus for destruction.
Stoke Newington Destroyed in the furnace at the Islington disinfecting station.
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
station. 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 incinerator at Guy's hospital under contract.
Newington An incinerator has been constructed, and is now in use.
St. Olave Burnt in a furnace at St. Olave's wharf, Shad Thames.
Bermondsey Burnt in a furnace near the disinfecting apparatus.
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, Streatham, and Wandsworth have made no provision,
but contractor for disinfection could destroy articles.