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(b) The construction of the new houses so that they may be the most suitable for occupation by the slum
dweller and not likely to permit of nuisances arising therein.
New or amended methods of construction should be adopted and the houses built in such a
way that sanitary defects are not likely to arise; and so that cleanliness and freedom from vermin
can be maintained with the least possible effort.
In some rehousing schemes the wooden picture-rail and its bedding of wood in the wall have
been abolished and the skirting boards replaced by a skirting of cement and generally woodwork
reduced to a minimum. These structural improvements have resulted in very few cases of gross
infestation because the bug has no hiding place and can therefore be checked at an early stage. Other
suggestions that arise are that the interior walls should be solid, i.e. of breeze blocks or brick partitions
with hard smooth plastered surfaces; that distemper in light colours should be used for decoration;
that the walls to the floor and ceiling should be coved; that door and window mouldings should be
eliminated; that cupboards and dressers should be moveable and of suitable size; that baths should
be situate near the hot water supply; and so on.
(c) The use of the new houses by the new tenants so that the good sanitary conditions provided may be
preserved.
It should be regarded as the duty of the local authority to secure that the houses thus prepared
and occupied are used so that sanitary and cleanly conditions without overcrowding are maintained.
Sanitary Appliances.
The tenants who have come from slum areas are not likely to have had all the sanitary appliances
with which they will now be provided, namely, a separate water-closet, sink, bath and a means for
heating water. It is necessary to secure that the tenants have knowledge of how to care for these
appliances. The Sanitary Inspector in the course of his experience has become aware that various
sanitary appliances are improperly used thus leading to sanitary difficulties, e.g.
Water-closets.—Choked pans and traps through improperly discharging bulky solid materials
into the pan. Furred up traps due to neglect to flush frequently and the lack of a suitable
brush for scouring.
Sinks.—Choked waste pipes and traps, due to the removal of gratings, and allowing rags,
grease, vegetable peelings and other solid matter to get into the waste-pipe. Traps
broken owing to incompetent persons trying to free choked waste pipe and trap.
Baths.—-Used for storage of heavy solid matter, articles dropped into bath, chipping the enamel,
and eventually causing rust.
Drains and gullies.—Choked through permitting solid bulky materials to enter.
The Building.
Defective conditions arise in the structure of the house on account of carelessness, mischievousness
or improper use, e.g.
Brickwork.—Cement pointing hacked out, often done by children ; nails driven into walls for
hooks for clothes lines, wireless poles, pigeon lofts, etc.
Plaster.-—Interior surfaces broken by misuse; bedsteads, prams, cycles and large metal toys
bumped into walls.
Floors.—Wood floors—worn into holes due to castors of beds and other furniture having broken
off leaving sharp metal ends to cut the boards.
Cement floors and paving—broken by the tenant chopping wood on them.
Doors.—Broken off hinges, panels split, locks broken, due to slamming the doors.
Chimney-pots.—Cracked and rendered dangerous by setting the flue on fire in order to cleanse
it from soot.
Fireplaces.—Ironwork broken by rough stoking and usage.
Window fittings.—Damaged by rough usage.
Bugs.
The question of infestation or reinfestation by bugs is a problem which is ever present. It is
one with which the Sanitary Inspector is familiar. The prevention of infestation or reinfestation can
only be accomplished with the close co-operation of the tenants. The tenant therefore must be shewn
where bed-bugs are most likely to be found, e.g.
(a) In stuffed and upholstered furniture :—
(i.) In the seams and under leather buttons of mattresses.
(ii.) In the wire of the bed spring.
(iii). The undersides of chairs, settees, etc.