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The Cleansing Station with three baths, accommodation for reception and dressing,
&c., has been provided on the site of the disused Chemical Laboratory in Golden Lane,
the necessary structural alterations, which included the establishment of a separate
entrance in Golden Lane, being carried out by the City Engineer.
In November last, soon after the arrangements detailed above had been put into
operation, the London County Council asked if the Corporation would be prepared to
cleanse children infested with vermin from schools outside the area of the City.
The cleansing of the bodies and clothing of the children would be of little lasting
value unless the condition of their environment were dealt with at the same time, and
the Corporation would have no power to act in this direction in the case of children
residing outside the City.
It is essential that both the cleansing of the children and their homes should be
in the hands of the same authority, each being responsible in this respect for its own
area.
For this reason the Corporation were unable to agree to the suggested extension.
For general information I will here enumerate the procedure adopted in dealing
with cases under the foregoing arrangements.
(1) The School Nurse will visit the school, examine all the children, and send
printed instructions to the parent of any child found in a verminous condition,
as to the simplest and quickest method of disinfection.
(2) If at the end of 48 hours the Nurse finds the child in the same unsatisfactory
state, a notice will be served on the parents or guardians, informing them
that if such cleansing is not carried out within 24 hours of the receipt of such
notice, the same will be done in a compulsory manner under the provisions of
Section 122, Sub-section 2, of the Children Act, 1908.
(3) If after the expiration of 24 hours from the time the above-mentioned notice
is served, the Nurse, on examination of the child at the school, finds that the
necessary cleansing has not been carried out, she will take the child to the
Cleansing Station and there leave a card (No. 219) of admission.
(4) The child is then bathed and cleansed by an official duly appointed by the
Corporation for the purpose, and the clothing treated in the disinfecting
apparatus.
(5) After the child has been cleansed, the card (No. 219) will be so endorsed by
the person in charge of the Station, and handed to the Nurse when she calls
to examine the child at the end of the day.
(6) If the cleansing is satisfactory, the Nurse signs the card (No. 219) and
forwards it to. the Medical Officer of Health accompanied by a request to take
the necessary steps with regard to the home.
(7) Should a child again attend a Council School in a verminous condition after
having been so cleansed, Police Court proceedings under the Children Act,
1908, may be instituted against the parents or guardians.