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41
In the meantime this Council have retained nine beds at South
Mimms, and in addition have made certain alterations in the oid
temporary small-pox hospital at Claverings Farm whereby, at the
shortest notice, accommodation of a satisfactory kind to meet an
emergency, could be arranged for 10 male and 6 female patients.
The possession of this conveniently situated building is of great
value to the Council, as it should enable them to deal effectively,
for the time being, with any sudden outbreak that might occur.
Even after the Clare Hall scheme has been established, it would be
to the Council's advantage to retain the building in its present
condition. Its usefulness in times of epidemic, as an emergency
building or for the purpose of dealing with contacts, would be very
great, and the cost of its upkeep, so long as it continues to form
part of the disinfecting station, is trifling.
Ambulance Arrangements. The Council undertake the
removal of all cases of infectious disease to hospital, free of charge,
in their own ambulance. Separate vehicles are kept for small-pox
and for other infectious diseases. A closed conveyance has also been
provided for bringing patients home again after their discharge
from hospital—an arrangement that is very valuable in protecting
the health of children, whose parents are unable to afford a suitable
conveyance, when discharged from hospital during cold and wet
weather. Particulars as to the work done will be found in the
report of the Sanitary Inspector.
Disinfection. Rooms are disinfected, after the removal of the
patient, by spraying with a I in 20 solution of formalin. Linen and
cotton articles are steeped in a solution of Jeyes' Fluid in the room
previous to being washed, and articles of clothing, bedding, etc., are
removed in a van provided for the purpose by the Council, to the
disinfecting station where they are treated in a Washington-Lyon
steam disinfector of the latest pattern. After treatment the bedding,
etc., are returned in a separate van used only for conveying disinfected
articles. Details under this head are given in the Sanitary
Inspector's report.