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45
SMOKE ABATEMENT.
During the year, 228 observations were made and 52 complaints were received
and dealt with. In each case the attention of the offender was drawn to the matter.
Fourteen intimation notices were issued, but in no instance was the service of a
statutory notice or the institution of legal proceedings called for.
SWIMMING BATHS.
The new Public Baths Establishment in Seymour Place contains two swimming
pools, slipper baths, laundries, and a squash rackets court.
The water of the swimming pools is treated by modern filtration and purification
plant. Samples, taken periodically, have, under bacteriological examination, yielded
entirely satisfactory results.
There are three privately owned swimming pools in the Borough; one at the
Middlesex Hospital for the use of the staff; one at the Polytechnic in Regent Street,
available only to members of the Institute; and one at the Mansergh Woodall
Club in Hill Road, for the use of members (boys from 10 to 14 years).
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
As in previous years a considerable amount of work was carried out in 1938 in
connection with disinsection. Much of it had reference to the removal of furniture
and bedding from old houses to new flats. In addition, the routine following-up of
old cases of infestation was actively pursued.
Particulars of the action taken for the eradication of bed bugs are set out below:
(1) Number of Council houses found to be infested 79
Number of other houses found to be infested 235
Number of Council houses disinsected 79
Number of other houses disinsected 235
(2) Methods employed for freeing infested houses from bed bugs:—
(a) In badly infested premises. Furniture is removed in vans, treated with
hydrogen cyanide, and returned to the premises. Rooms are stripped
of wooden mouldings and sprayed with an insecticide.
(b) In moderately infested premises. Wallpaper is stripped, wooden
ings are removed, and treatment is carried out either by a blow lamp
or with an insecticide applied with a sprayer loaned by the Council.
(c) In slightly infested premises. Cleansing is carried out by tenants themselves,
and use is made by them of an insecticide applied with a
sprayer loaned by the Council.
(3) Methods employed for ensuring that the belongings of tenants are free from
vermin before removal to Council houses:—
(a) Belongings are collected from the old homes in vans, treated with
hydrogen cyanide, and delivered to the new homes after disinsection.
(b) Bedding is treated in the Council's steam disinfector.
(4) Whether the work of disinsection is carried out by the local authority or
by a contractor:—
(a) Hydrogen cyanide treatment of furniture, etc., is carried out by a
contractor.
(b) Buildings are treated either by builders using blow lamps or an
ticide (the latter supplied by the Council with loan of sprayer), or
by the Council's staff using a sprayer and insecticide.