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44
Verminous Houses.
The houses where it was necessary to take measures on account of the presence
of vermin numbered 133, and in connection with them some 174 rooms were dealt
with during the year. Sanitary notices were served where required and the usual
steps taken. A fair number of the premises came under notice through intimations
from the School Authorities as to children reported as being in a verminous condition.
During the year the homes of some 70 children, 37 boys and 33 girls, notified
as verminous by the School Medical Officer, were reported with a view to the homes,
bedding, etc., where necessary, being dealt with by the Sanitary Authority, whilst
the children were cleaned and their clothing disinfected at the cleansing stations of
the London County Council. Intimations were received that 18 boys and 10 girls had
been given the opportunity of being cleansed at these stations, that in the case of
15 boys and 22 girls Statutory Notices had been served upon the parents to cleanse
the children within 24 hours under Section 122 of the Children's Act, 1908, and that
in the cases of 2 boys and 1 girl legal proceedings were pending for non-compliance
with the requirements of Statutory Notices under this Act. In 2 cases the addresses
given were erroneous.
In all the cases reported the homes were visited by the Sanitary Inspectors,
and the following summarises the results obtained:—In 63 the rooms occupied were
satisfactory, varying from fairly clean to very clean, in 3 they were dirty, and in 2
also buggy. In 62 the bedding was clean or fairly so, in 6 it was verminous, overcrowding
was noticed in one instance. In four of the homes evidence of poverty was
marked. No evidence of lice was found in connection with any of the homes.
Arising out of the visits of the Sanitary Inspectors three Sanitary Notices were
served upon the owners and two upon the occupiers for cleansing.
The children reported by the School Authorities as suffering from scabies
numbered 41, of whom 29 were females. As a result of the enquiries made 4 other
cases came under observation. As far as practicable steps were taken to prevent
infection spreading. In 1 case the address given was erroneous.
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1928, Section 28.
Application was made to the Magistrate for the removal to St. Leonard's
Hospital of two individuals under this Section.
Water Supply.
The number of certificates issued as required under the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, Section 48 (2), was 35.
The water supply is almost entirely from the Metropolitan Water Board.
There are, however, a certain number of wells in the Borough from one or two
of which drinking water is obtained. Nine wells were under the observation of the
Sanitary Inspectors during the year.