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Temporary shelter.—Accommodation for the use of persons during the time that the disinfection
of their rooms is being carried out, has not yet been provided. The board possess a hospital for
infectious disease at Hither-green, and it is stated that if this is not in use for the treatment of cases
of illness, arrangements can be made for its use as a shelter.
Woolwich.
(a) Articles of clothing and bedding.—The district board of works have provided a Washington
Lyon steam disinfecting apparatus. The building in which it is erected forms part of the dust
destructor premises. It contains two rooms divided by a brick wall, in which the apparatus is set so
as to have an opening into each room, one being reserved for putting the infected articles into the
apparatus, and the other for removing them after the process of disinfection is completed.
There are two vans, which are kept distinct for fetching and returning articles.
The destruction of articles is effected in the dust destructor when necessasy.
(b) Rooms.—These are disinfected by means of burning sulphur candles—at least one pound toeach
1,000 cubicfeet of space—after articles have been removed for steam disinfection. The room is kept closed
for twelve or fourteen hours, generally overnight. In cases of smallpox or cholera notice is served to strip
walls and to cleanse the room, and this has always been done by the owner. In the case of other
diseases notice is not served unless the room is in a dirty condition. Householders are recommended
to wash furniture and woodwork, and the sanitary authority supply, if required, a disinfecting solution
of corrosive sublimate. If supplied it is used under the superintendence of an officer of the sanitary
authority.
No charge is ever made for disinfection.
In very few cases is disinfection after infectious disease carried out privately, probably about
one in each year. As regards the military population living in barracks in the district, the sanitary
authority do not carry out the disinfection, as the military authorities possess a disinfectng apparatus
at the Herbert Hospital.
Temporary shelter.—A house has been taken for the use of persons during the disinfection of
their rooms at 162, Samuel-street, Woolwich. It is in the charge of one of the messengers engaged
by the sanitary authority, who lives with his wife in two rooms on the ground floor.
The house is well kept and contains, for the use of persons who may need to go there, three
rooms furnished as bedrooms, and one unfurnished bedroom, a living room and a bathroom. There
is also a kitchen in which cooking can be done. Crockery and cooking utensils are provided.
Lee.
The district of Lee comprises three sub-districts, namely—
Charlton,
Eltham,
Lee and Kidbrooke,
and each of these has separate arrangements in regard to disinfection.
Charlton sub-district.
(a) Articles of bedding and clothing.—No disinfecting apparatus has been provided, nor is any
arrangement made for having articles disinfected by steam or heat. Reliance is placed upon the
disinfection obtained by distributing articles about the room so that they may be exposed to the fumes
of chlorine gas during the disinfection of the room in which the case of infectious disease has
occurred, If it is considered that the disinfection so effected is insufficient, or if articles of bedding
or clothing are foul or worn out they are destroyed by the sanitary authority. No special apparatus
for destruction exists, but the article is removed in the dust-cart and taken to the wharf depot, where
it is soaked in paraffin and burnt in the open yard.
(b) Rooms.—After articles of clothing and bedding have been distributed about the room it is
closed and fumigated with chlorine gas, produced by mixing peroxide of manganese and hydrochloric
acid gas. It is kept closed if possible for 24 hours, but in practice eight hours is generally the length of
time which elapses before the disinfecting assistant re-opens the room. The tenant or landlord is then
advised to strip walls and cleanse room, and this is done in most instances. Directions are also given
to wash furniture and woodwork with a disinfecting solution which the sanitary authority will supply
if necessary.
No charge is ever made for disinfection.
It is quite exceptional to receive certificates from medical practitioners as to disinfection. It is
practically entirely carried out by the sanitary authority.
Temporary shelter.—A building containing one room has been provided at the parish wharf near
the river. It is furnished with table, chairs and gas stove. There is no sleeping accommodation.
Eltham sub-district.
(a) Articles of clothing and bedding.—The local committee for this sub-district have an arrangement
with the Vestry'of Plumstead for the disinfection by steam of articles of clothing and bedding. In
all cases of notified infectious disease they undergo steam disinfection, unless the medical officer of
health considers it unnecessary. Articles are conveyed to and from Plumstead in the vans belonging
to the Vestry of Plumstead, and their officers carry out the disinfection. At times articles are destroyed.
No special apparatus exists for this purpose, they are burnt in the yard or garden of the premises or at
the parish yard.
(b) Rooms.—Rooms are disinfected by fumigation with burning sulphur. The room is closed
by the sanitary inspector and kept closed for 24 hours at least; upon opening the articles are removed
for disinfection by steam.
No charge is ever made for disinfection.