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96
Disinfection.
The principal changes made during the year in the arrangements for disinfection in the
several sanitary areas as shown in the annual reports of medical officers of health may be summarised
as follows—
The medical officer of health of Paddington reports that the work of disinfection in that
district is still done by a contractor, that the Borough Council is satisfied with the system, and
that, although the Local Government Board urged them to consider the advisability of doing the
work with their own staff, as smallpox had occurred among the contractor's men, no further steps
have been taken. The Borough Council has now received a communication from the County
Council on the subject, and the matter stands referred for report. The medical officer of health of
Chelsea reports that during the past year a new disinfecting station has been built and equipped on
the Borough Council's new wharf in Lots-road. It contains an incinerator furnace for destroying
infected bedding. The medical officer of health of Westminster regrets that no further steps have
been taken to provide a site for a central disinfecting station for the borough. During the year a
new disinfecting chamber has been provided in St. Pancras, which had been working continuously
since 1899. The medical officer of health of Hackney reports that early in the year the new disinfecting
station was completed and made available for use. The Borough Council of Shoreditch
decided to provide an additional apparatus owing to the large amount of work required to be done.
The new apparatus came into use in December, and the medical officer of health reports that so far
it has answered well. The Borough Council of Bethnal-green has sanctioned the provision of a
new disinfecting station with a second set of apparatus at a cost of £2,800. In Poplar a new
boiler has been fixed in the d'isinfecting house, and alterations have been made in the station in
view of the possibility of an additional disinfector being required. The Borough Council of
Lambeth is now in possession of two machines working on the high pressure saturated steam
principle, and situated in the old building at Wanless-road, which has been enlarged and altered.
Stabling, van-sheds, etc., are to be provided during the coming year. The new disinfection station
at Battersea was opened in March. Until that date the work had been undertaken by a contractor,
but by carrying out the work themselves the Council has been able to do the work much
more economically, even during the short time the machine has been at work. In Wandsworth
the medical officer of health reports that all the work has been done most satisfactorily, but that
the station is now insufficient for the needs of the borough, and a proposal is under consideration
to remove the present station to Tooting, and to erect there a much larger building
containing two disinfectors, with proper accommodation for handling and storing articles.
Shelters.
During the smallpox prevalence of 1902 the shelters which had been provided by the several
sanitary authorities proved of great value in providing accommodaton for persons who were accommodated
during the disinfection of their homes. They also served for the temporary accommodation
of particular persons who had been exposed to infection, and whom it was desirable to
keep under supervision.
The medical officer of health of Kensington reports that the question of providing a shelter
still awaits settlement, and he supplies strong reasons for such provision. In connection with the
subject of smallpox the medical officer of health of Fulham states that five families were accommodated
at the Council's shelter. In Chelsea a shelter has been erected in connection with the
new disinfecting station; it consists of two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living-room, together with
bath-room, water-closet, and sink-room. In Westminster 20 persons were admitted to the shelters
at Horseferry-road and Dufour's-place, in connection with the occurrence of cases of smallpox.
The Marylebone shelter was used 47 times by persons while their rooms were being disinfected. In
a few instances it was found advisable to detain "contact" cases in the shelter for some little time.
The medical officer of health of Hampstead states that the shelter was only used in one instance, but
that instance proved the value of the provision of such accommodation ; the family occupied but one
room, the disinfection of which could not be carried out during their occupancy. The St. Pancras
shelter was used in connection with the cleansing and disinfection of 084 smallpox "contacts." The
persons using the Islington shelter were admitted principally owing to the smallpox outbreak, and
during the year 57 families availed themselves of this accommodation. In Hackney the shelter was
opened and ready for use in March, and during the year 97 persons were admitted, of whom 3
refused to remain after admission; the persons housed received board during their stay. In Holborn
129 persons made use of the shelter. In Finsbury there are two reception houses or shelters,
which accommodated during the year 72 families. The City shelter provided accommodation for
23 families during the year. In Shoreditch the shelter was made use of by 105 families, and the
medical officer of health says it was of inestimable value. In Bethnal-green, after much difficulty
premises were found and furnished, and the chief disinfector placed in charge. During the year
1,341 persons passed through the Poplar shelter. In Southwark 415 persons were admitted to the
shelter. The medical officer of health of Bermondsey reports that the new shelter will probably
be open by July, 1903 ; it consists of four tenements of three rooms, with a tenement for a caretaker.
In Battersea the Borough Council has decided to erect a shelter, and plans have been approved
for a two-storied building on land adjoining the public mortuary ; it will provide accommodation
for three families ; the need of such accommodation was much felt during the
smallpox outbreak. The medical officer of health of Wandsworth reports that the two shelters
were found in a few cases to be invaluable ; the Putney shelter was used on four and the Larcliroad
shelter on six occasions. In Deptford, temporary lodgings were obtained for three families