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This public health service has become widely known throughout the Borough and is
readily sought. It was noticeable again this year that not a single complaint was
received of wasps becoming a nuisance in shops.
During the year 311 inspections were made by the Public Health Inspectors of
furniture, bedding and accommodation of families who were to take up occupation in
Council houses or flats or who were being transferred to other Council accommodation.
These inspections are to ensure that the accommodation and effects are vermin-free.
It is only very infrequently nowadays that the presence of vermin is found. The
progress in the standard of living conditions in the past 25 years has been remarkable.
At that time the Council had one and sometimes two operatives working whole-time on
dealing with bug and flea-infested houses.
The only pests presenting a problem with which little success was achieved
during the year were feral pigeons. There is no adequate general legislation to deal
with them and no Authority appears to have any responsibility in the matter. They
can, however, become a serious nuisance causing damage to roofs and by their fouling
of gutters, ledges, etc. allow dried excreta to blow into buildings.
Disinfection
Disinfection of rooms by formalin spray is carried out after cases of certain
notifiable infectious diseases and in the case of tuberculosis on request or by
arrangement with the Chest Physician. An arrangement exists with the Regional
Hospital Board for the steam disinfection of bedding and clothing.
In cases other than notifiable infectious disease the service is carried out on
request, an appropriate charge being made.
Library books taken from houses where cases of certain notifiable infectious
diseases have occurred are disinfected before being returned to the library.
Parcels of clothing are also disinfected on request, and an appropriate
certificate given, when they are being sent abroad.
During the year the following were dealt with:-
Rooms 122
Bedding and/or Clothing 234
Library Books 290
Parcels of Clothing to be sent
abroad 35
Domiciliary Laundry Service
During the year 9,577 soiled articles were collected from the homes of incontinent
persons and cleansed under the provisions of Section 84 of the Public Health
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