View report page

31
E (11 ) c. Health Education.
With a view to maintaining a good standard in sanitary
circumstances, the following leaflets prepared by the Senior
Sanitary Inspector are available to members of the public:
1. Cleanliness in food preparing premises.
2. How to get rid of bugs, lice, fleas, etc.
3. Precautions against rats.
4. Sanitary obligations regarding infectious diseases.
Many of the leaflets have been utilised by the public, and
there is every reason to believe that the information has been
most helpful.
Control measures regarding rats have been vigorously
applied by the Sanitary Inspectors during the year, and the
private ratcatcher in the district has visited and operated at
many premises. Literature is available at the office, and
supplies of vermicide are available on payment of a small fee.
Back yard poultry still appear to be one of the many sources
of infestation, and every effort is made to impress occupiers on
the need of maintaining such structures in a satisfactory
condition.
E(11) d.Eradication of Bed Bugs.
During 1941, dwellinghouses were found to be infested
with vermin, and subsequently disinfested as under:—
Private houses 22
Council houses 10
Presence of vermin in private houses is usually located
by Inspectors whilst investigating complaints and viewing home
circumstances. On every occasion removal of wallpaper, picture
rails, etc., is insisted upon, any measures falling short of this
proving more than useless. The use of a blow lamp or efficient
insecticides has been found to be effective, and re-visits are
made to see that the improvement is being maintained.
The cleansing of Council houses is carried out by the
Surveyor's staff.
All prospective and selected applicants for Council houses
are visited by Sanitary Inspectors who report their findings
direct to the Housing Clerk. When the effects are found to
be verminous, furniture and other articles are subjected to
cyanide fumigation by Contractors employed by the Council,
but who work under the supervision of an Inspector. This
method of re-housing has proved to be successful.