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disinfection and cleansing of their rooms. In Shoreditch the new shelter is approaching completion,
and will be ready for use in 1901, but the old one was used during the year under consideration
on six occasions by 27 persons. The medical officer of health of Lambeth states that
Lambeth is now well supplied with refuges in the event of a serious epidemic breaking out,
but "there appears to be a prejudice against the use of such refuges," and "at present these are
but little used, and apparently a somewhat useless expense," only on two occasions were they
used during the year. A new shelter was erected in Woolwich and opened towards the end of the
year, three families were admitted into the old shelter and two into the new one. The medical
officer of health of Hampstead reports that in 1892 "a shelter with day accommodation for two
families was provided. This building was taken over by the electric lighting department in
1900, since which period the borough has been without a day shelter." In Kensington there is
as yet no shelter, though the medical officer of health reports that 53 cases of infectious disease
occurred in families occupying one room, and he considers the need for such provision is sufficiently
indicated by this fact.
Infectious disease—Bacteriological examination
Examination of material from persons suspected to be suffering from infectious disease was
undertaken by the sanitary authority in a number of districts. The annual reports show that in
Paddington material from 36 suspected cases of diphtheria and from 25 suspected cases of enteric
fever was examined; in Fulham, from 247 suspected cases of diphtheria, from 23 of enteric fever,
and from 19 of tuberculosis, the examination being made at the Jenner Institute; in St. George,
Hanover-square, from 26 suspected cases of diphtheria, and from 11 of enteric fever among parishioners,
and from 4 suspected cases of diphtheria and 1 of enteric fever among persons who
were not parishioners; in St. Marylebone, from 43 suspected cases of diphtheria, the examination
being made at the Jenner Institute; in St. Pancras, from 113 suspected cases of diphtheria and 85
of enteric fever; in Islington, from 105 suspected cases of diphtheria, 78 of enteric fever, and 79 of
tubercular disease; in Stoke Newington, from 33 suspected cases of diphtheria and 6 of enteric
fever, the examination being made at University College; in Hackney, from 6 suspected cases
of diphtheria and 1 of enteric fever, arrangements having been made in October with the Jenner
Institute for the purpose; in St. Giles, from 8 suspected cases of diphtheria and 2 of enteric fever;
in the Strand district, from 4 suspected cases of diphtheria, the examination being made by Mr.
Cribb, the bacteriologist appointed by the Board; in Holborn, from 84 suspected cases of
diphtheria, the examination being made at the Jenner Institute; in Clerkenwell, from 54 suspected
cases of diphtheria, enteric fever and phthisis, material being sent to the Jenner Institute;
in Shoreditch, from 4 suspected cases of diphtheria, arrangements having been made in the
latter part of the year for material to be sent to the London Hospital; in Limehouse, from 17
suspected cases of diphtheria and enteric fever; in Poplar, from 100 suspected cases of diphtheria,
material being sent to the Jenner Institute; in St. Olave, from 4 suspected cases of diphtheria; in
Lambeth, 469 samples from suspected cases of diphtheria, 115 of enteric fever, and 118 of tubercular
disease, the material being examined in a laboratory provided by the sanitary authority
at Arlington Lodge, Wanless-road, Loughborough; in Camberwell, material being sent to
the vestry's bacteriologist; in Wandsworth parish, from 6 suspected cases of diphtheria and 3 of
enteric fever; in Clapham parish, from 4 suspected cases of diphtheria; in Plumstead, from 19
suspected cases of diphtheria, material being sent to the Jenner Institute.
The Cleansing of Persons Act.
Only a few of the reports of the medical officers of health mention the provision made in
their districts for carrying out the provisions of this Act. In Kensington an arrangement has
been made with the guardians to use the cleansing and disinfecting apparatus at the workhouse,
but it has been little used "probably to some extent owing to the locality and ownership of the
apparatus." In Westminster one person availed himself of the provision made, and the medical
officer of health states "this is the first application in this district under this Act since it came
into operation." In Marylebone an additional steam disinfector was erected adjacent to the
baths for the purpose of disinfecting separately the clothing of persons who came to the baths;
there is also accommodation for both setxes, and steps were taken to notify the fact to institutions
and common lodging-houses. During the year 3,352 males and 28 females underwent the
cleansing process and had their clothing disinfected. In Islington two men had their clothing
passed through the steam disinfector, they themselves occupying the shelter during the process.
The medical officer of health of Stoke Newington reports that on two occasions clothing and
bedding were disinfected with steam to free them from vermin. In the Strand "two persons
applied ; they were given a warm bath while their clothing was purified by being passed through
the disinfecting apparatus." In Hackney accommodation is being provided.
Mortuaries.
In my last report I stated that the Council has approved plans for a mortuary at Sunstreet,
Woolwich. This mortuary was completed in November, 1900. The plans of the proposed
mortuary in Latchmere-road, Battersea, were approved by the vestry, and the medical officer of
health states that its erection will be speedily commenced. He recommends that the old mortuary
should be utilised for special purposes, particularly the reception of bodies recovered from the
river. The number of such bodies in 1900 was 15. The medical officer of health of Lambeth
recommends the provision of an additional mortuary for the Norwood district. He writes,
" It will be sufficient for a small mortuary to be provided, such building to be able to deal with
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