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20
SECTION B.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
FOR THE AREA.
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION.
The Department is responsible for disinfection of premises, etc.
after the removal of persons suffering from infectious complaints,
or subsequent to the patient being declared free from infection.
This is carried out as a routine measure in cases of certain serious
infections and on request in other instances. Infected bedding and
clothing are subjected to steam under pressure at the disinfecting
station situated in Main Road, Sidcup. Rooms, fixtures, and
furnishings are sprayed with formalin. Public Library books
which have been exposed to infection are rendered safe and
returned to the libraries concerned.
Disinfestation work, in connection with the eradication of
vermin in premises, is also undertaken by the Department. Rooms
are treated with a solution containing a quick acting insecticide as
well as D.D.T. Bedding is subjected to steam treatment, in order
to destroy eggs, etc. Advice is given to householders and others
to assist them in dealing with the various insect infestations.
It is an interesting commentary on the progress of medical
science, the advance in health education and on the efficacy of
modern insecticides and techniques that the use of these services is
on a decreasing scale.