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81
Mortuaries.

Cleansing of Persons Act, 1897.
The last annual report contained a tabular statement showing the provision which had been made
by sanitary authorities under the Cleansing of Persons Act in November, 1906. In many of the districts
the accommodation consists of baths at the disinfecting station or arrangements have been made with the
Boards of Guardians by which baths at the casual wards can be used. The annual reports supply very
little information beyond that contained in the tabular statement referred to, but in a few reports the
number of persons cleansed is stated. Thus in St. Marylebone 8,865 adults and 5,184 children were cleansed.
In St. Pancras, 1,314 adults and 1,087 children were cleansed. In other districts the number of persons
cleansed was—in Hackney, 330 persons ; in Holbom, 262; in Finsbury, 35; in Poplar, 856; in
Southwark, 49; in Lambeth, 45; in Battersea, 141; and in Camberwell, 33 persons. In respect of
the remaining districts there is either no information or the numbers were trivial. There is no doubt
that the extent of use of the cleansing stations in a large degree depends upon the character of
accommodation provided, and the publicity which is given to its existence. It is much to be desired
that adequate and suitable provision should be made throughout London, and that every effort should
be made to secure its use. There is no subject which is more deserving of the consideration of
authorities than that of improvement of the population in respect of verminous conditions.

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