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reports were received in regard to 1,949 homes visited; out of this number disinfestation
or destruction of bedding or disinfestation of homes was carried out in 755
instances. In the remaining 1,194 instances, although disinfestation or destruction
of bedding was not needed, in many cases advice was given to the parents by the
health visitors. In 1924, the corresponding figures were 2,282 homes visited, action
taken in 819 cases.
Methods ot
cleansing.
On all advice cards and statutory notices referred to above information is given
for the benefit of parents as to the methods for eradicating the mischief. Paraffin
is advised for the killing of actual vermin, and a mixture of borax and soft soap is
recommended as a shampoo. It is found that this latter preparation loosens the
cement with which nits are attached to the hair, and if followed after a few minutes
by the use of a special metal comb, the nits will slide off the hair. With body cases,
the treatment is, however, more complicated, and resort must usually be had to the
cleansing centres where baths and sterilisers, the latter for disinfestation of clothing,
are available. At the centres themselves, however, paraffin alone is seldom used
for a verminous head. Instead, a mixture made up of 5 per cent. wood tar oil,
20 per cent. cotton seed oil, 74 per cent. paraffin oil and 1 per cent. oil of lemon grass
is used. This preparation is well rubbed into the scalp, and after a few minutes
the hair is combed by the attendant, with a metal toothed comb. After this process
nits are dealt with by the borax and soft soap mixture already referred to. In the
more serious cases the child is bathed, the clothes meanwhile receiving treatment
in a steriliser.
Head
cleansing.
Whilst the Cleansing Scheme proper is carried out in conjunction with centres
where baths and sterilisers are installed, the Council has made arrangements with
seven voluntary committees for the cleansing of children suffering from slight
verminous infestation, i.e., those cases in which some difficulty would be experienced
in inducing parents to attend at an ordinary cleansing centre. Most of these
voluntary committees were able to make use of one or two otherwise vacant rooms
on the premises where they were already undertaking the medical treatment of
school children under the Council's Medical Treatment Scheme. One, two, or three
basins with hot and cold water sprays were installed, the Council making a grant
towards the initial cost of equipment and adaptation. A modified form of advice
is issued to the parents of children found to be but slightly infested, and the parents
are invited to accompany the children to the centres to see the actual process of
cleansing, and in order to secure their co-operation in the matter. This scheme has
worked very smoothly.
Use of public
washing
facilities by
school
children.
Reference was made in the last annual report to negotiations which were on
foot to extend to other boroughs the arrangements whereby parties of children
were taken, under the charge of school nurses, during school hours to the public
washing baths in Camberwell and Kensington. During the year 1925, the borough
councils of Lambeth, Stepney and Shoreditch agreed to the provision of the necessary
facilities, and the numbers of baths given during the year at the public washing
baths of these boroughs under this scheme were—Camberwell, 4,043; Kensington,
7,060; Lambeth, 1,685; Shoreditch, 2,294; Stepney, 2,073.
The teachers in the schools contributing to the scheme have warmly welcomed
the scheme, not only on account of its direct results, but also for its effect upon the
children in inculcating a desire for cleanliness which survives after the children have
left school. That the scheme is appreciated by the children is shown by the following
extract from a letter received from the head master of a school in Lambeth:—
"The scheme of bathing for school children has been very successful.
The boys who have attended the baths have derived great benefit, and the
institution is extremely popular, more boys desiring to go than for whom there
is accommodation."
13651 K