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6. Infectious Disease.
222 visits of enquiry were 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.
• The disinfections carried out during the year were as follows:
Steam
Sprayed. Fumigated. Disinfected. Destroyed
Rooms 157 198 — —
Mattresses 28 — 311 6
Pillows 69 — 777 9
Bedclothes. Batches of 36 — 157 2
Clothing, Batches of 24 — 140 —
Library Books — 77 — —
Cushions — — I9 3
Carpets 150 — — —
Blankets — — 650 —
Air Raid Shelters 12 — — —
Motor Car 1 — — —
7. Vermin.
(i) Bed Bugs.
During the year 44 complaints were received of infestation
of premises by bed bugs.
The number of houses and/or their contents found to be
infested was 47 (including 8 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.
710 visits were made to premises in connection with rat
infestation. 89 complaints were received, and at 119 premises
infestation was remedied,