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41
DISINFESTATION OF PREMISES
Modern insecticides provide a ready and easily applied remedy for
vermin and pest infestation of premises, etc. and occupiers are advised
and instructed in their use by the Inspectors. The department assisted in
the more difficult cases numbering 141, either by spraying or fumigation.
CLEANSING OF VERMINOUS. ETC., PERSONS
A cleansing station consisting of a reception room, two bathrooms
and a discharge room is attached to the Disinfecting Station and is used
for dealing with verminous, etc. conditions in adults and children. A
woman attendant deals with children and women. During the year 5 adults
and 13 children were cleansed of verminous conditions and 22 adults and
32 children were treated for scabies.
DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT
No case of contagious animal disease was reported within the Borough
during the year. In such cases action is taken in conjunction with officers
of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to provide against the
spread of the disease. Visits are made by District Inspectors to premises
where animals are kept to ensure that precautionary measures and a high
standard of cleanliness are maintained.
At the request of the Ministry of Agriculture an investigation was
carried out after a member of the public obtained a parrot which died shortly
after purchase and the purchaser developed symptoms which might have
been those of Psittacosis, a disease which affects foreign birds of the
parrot family and may be transmitted to humans. In conjunction with the
appropriate medical and veterinary officers precautionary measures were
taken, the origin of the parrot was traced through the retailer and the
Ministry informed. Subsequent laboratory tests fortunately disclosed that
the parrot had not been suffering from Psittacosis.
LECTURES
During the year 61 lectures were given by qualified members of the
staff to local community associations, schools and commercial and industrial
organisations. These lectures provide an opportunity to stimulate
public interest in food hygiene, smoke abatement and the other varied
aspects of the work of the public health inspector and are valuable contributions
to both public relations and health education.