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claimed for fumigation, even by its most staunch advocates.
Most take the view that, although it does no good, it can do
no harm. Personally, I consider it can do serious harm;
and there is no doubt that it gives to the public a false sense
of security. I therefore recommend that your Committee
consider again the advisability of discontinuing the spraying
of premises with liquid disinfectant in order that the time and
money so spent may be devoted to other more useful public
health work.
Before the war the Leyton infectious disease ambulance
was stationed at the Isolation Hospital, where one of the three
drivers (on eight-hour shifts) was on duty day and night.
Two of these drivers were called up for military service, and
since August, 1942, there has been available only one driver,
who is on call day and night except when relieved on certain
nights by a former fever ambulance driver who is now employed
in the Public Health Department. Although the number of
night calls has not been so great since the outbreak of war,
the need for being on call day and night remains as before.
The driver lives in Farmilo Road, and his relief driver in
Norman Road. In the event of a sudden call during the
night, the driver has to find his way from his home to the
ambulance, which is stationed in an old garage in the Destructor
yard ; and it will be appreciated that a motor ambulance
(20 h.p.—six-cylinder) left in a cold garage may be very
difficult to start-up in winter time. This arrangement cannot
be regarded as other than unsatisfactory.
Before the closure of Leyton Isolation Hospital at the
outbreak of war a fever trained nurse, on duty in the ward
to which the patient would be admitted, accompanied the
fever ambulance. Until the disbandment of the Civil Defence
Organisation last July a nurse or nursing auxiliary at High
Road Baths First Aid Post acted as ambulance nurse. Since
then, as no nurse is available, the patient's mother or other
relative accompanies the patient to hospital. I have explored
the possibility of establishing a roster of volunteers who would
be prepared to act as ambulance nurses, but am not satisfied
that the benefits which could possibly accrue from the operation
of such a system would justify the delay which would be
occasioned by getting into contact with the volunteers at
short notice.