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Disinfection and Disinfestation
Disinfection is carried out when considered necessary following
cases of infectious disease and otherwise on request and on
payment of a small charge.
Bedding and other clothing if possible is disinfected by
arrangement with the Wandle Valley Hospital in a steam disinfector
at the hospital. Sick rooms and other articles are disinfected
by means of formaldehyde gas or spray, and library books
are treated in a disinfecting chamber at the offices at 73, Brighton
Road, Purley.
During 1964 the following disinfections were carried out:—
Free of Upon
cost Payment T otal
Loads of bedding, etc.3 3
Houses disinfected 3 3
Parcels of clothing 2 2
Disinfestation work is now largely confined to the more
common domestic pests such as flies, ants and wasps, but as a
result of numerous complaints, a determined effort was made
during the year to lessen the number of feral pigeons harbouring
on railway bridges and hospital buildings in the district.
By means of trapping and shooting 779 pigeons were
destroyed.
The use of proprietary insecticides principally of the liquid
variety and having a residual effect, is proving very effective in
dealing with all types of insect pests. During the year 92 cases
of this type of infestation were dealt with by the department.
COMPLAINTS RECEIVED
General disrepair and insanitary conditions 18
Defective drainage systems 14
Blocked drainage systems 320
Accumulation of refuse, etc. 2
Rats and mice 352
Insect pests, etc. 34
Wasps nests 120
Smoke nuisance 12
Contaminated food 25
Unsound food 44
Miscellaneous 109
Flooding 11
Noise Nuisance 5
Total 1,066
34