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occasions for this purpose. Latterly, treatment by
means of Sulphur Dioxide has been discontinued in
favour of a solution marketed by a well-known firm of
manufacturers. The results have been encouraging
and the application of the fluid is comparatively simple
provided that woodwork such as skirting boards,
architraves and picture rails is eased. This method
possesses the advantage that it is quite harmless to the
occupants and also the necessity of hermetically sealing
the houses is dispensed with.
On several occasions premises have been completely
freed from bugs and their eggs and at a later date
evidence of reinfestation has occurred. In these cases
the reintroduction of bugs has undoubtedly been by
the purchase of secondhand furniture. It is also suspected
that in some instances the household goods are infested
by the contractors' vans which have not previously
been carefully cleansed.
During the year. 326 rooms were treated, but to
eradicate bugs requires incessant warfare to be waged
on these pests.
In unoccupied houses on the London County
Council's Estate, cyanide gassing is performed. The
operation is carried out by experts and the tenants
of the houses on either side of the infested house are
requested to open all their windows for the day.
Overcrowding.
The Housing Act, 1935 laid the duty upon Housing
Authorities to ascertain the extent of overcrowding in
their areas and submitting proposals to abate this
condition. This required a survey of all houses within
the urban district ; a survey consisting of an enumeration
of the occupants of each dwelling and in many cases
ascertaining the floor areas in these dwellings.