View report page

44
Naphtha. In 1937 we did not receive a complaint from these houses
that evidence of infestation was present.
The procedure in the use of Heavy Naptha is easy. The rooms,
having been draped with tennis cloth, are brought up to as high a
temperature as possible by the use of Primus stoves and partially
sealed; the Primus stoves are removed, and the rooms sprayed.
A similar procedure, except that blankets instead of tennis cloth are
used, is adopted for the loft. The rooms and house are sealed and
left for twenty-four hours.
In badly infested houses I have seen the floors of bedrooms so
fully covered by dead bugs on opening next morning, that it has been
practically impossible to walk in the room without treading on them.
Whilst I am not prepared to say that this method is 100 per cent
satisfactory, I would state that in my opinion it is the best and safest
method that has so far been discovered.
The van has been used on a few occasions during the year and
has always proved satisfactory.
The Council owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. A. E. McKenny
Hughes, D.I.C., F.R.E.S., of the British Museum (Natural History)
and Mr. S. A. Ashmore, B.Sc., A.I.C., of the Government Laboratory
for their help throughout the year in perfecting the technique adopted
in Enfield, and for their skilled and technical advice.
I would add that there are one or two refinements in the technique
which have been considered by my Department. The results we
have achieved have not warranted the adoption of these refinements
so far.
A small charge is made by the Council where disinfestation of
empty Non-Council houses is carried out for the owners.
(3) The methods employed for ensuring that the belongings
of tenants are free from vermin before removal to Council
houses.
No routine has yet been adopted in this connection. In a
few cases the belongings have been disinfested in the Heavy Naphtha
van.
(4) Whether the work of disinfestation is carried out by the
Local Authority or by a contractor.
The work of disinfestation is carried out by the Local Authority.
(5) The measures taken by way of supervision or education of
tenants to prevent infestation or re-infestation after
cleansing.
Nil except for such educational work in this respect as is carried
out by the District Sanitary Inspectors and Health Visitors.