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6. Infectious Disease.
118 visits of enquiry wore made to notified cases of infectious
disease, mainly cases of diphtheria and scarlet fever.
On the removal of a case to the Isolation Hospital, the release
from quarantine (home cases) or in other necessary cases,
disinfection was immediately carried out by spraying rooms
and their contents with, formalin, and the clothing and bedding
was steam disinfected at the disinfecting station. Public
library books found in any premises in which infectious or
contagious disease occurred were also disinfected by formalin
vapour in a special metal chamber. Certain articles have also
been destroyed by fire.

7. Vermin.
(i) Bed Bugs.
During the year 46 complaints were received of infestation
of premises by bed bugs.
The number of houses and/or their contents found to be
infested was 21 (including 5 in the Council's possession). In
suitable cases, and on the request of tenant and owner, the
disinfestation of the premises and contents were simultaneously
carried out by the Department. In all other cases the premises
were disinfested by the owners, and the contents by the tenants
In all necessary cases bedding was steam disinfected by the
Department.
The usual method of disinfestation insisted upon is to strip
as much woodwork from walls, etc., as possible, seal the
premises and use a sulphurous gas or spray with contact fluid.
Close supervision was made of premises which had been disinfested,
and tenants were given suitable advice and instruction
on methods of prevention and destruction of vermin.
(ii) Rats and Mice.
277 visits were made to premises in connection with rat
infestation. 52 complaints were received and at 56 premises
infestation was remedied.