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6. Infectious Disease.
1,296 visits were made to notified cases of infectious
disease (diphtheria, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, etc.).
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 71 complaints were received of infestation
of premises by bed bugs.
The number of houses and/or their contents found to be
infested was 68 (including 2 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.