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most of the houses have a water supply on the upper floors. The sinks are often fitted
on the landings of the staircase. The houses are kept in fair repair, and action to
maintain this is taken under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. During the
year 444 visits of inspection were made. There was no appreciable amount of
overcrowding above that which generally prevails in the district.
Verminous Houses.
It was necessary to take measures on account of the presence of vermin in
respect of 168 houses, and in connection with these 265 rooms were dealt with during
the year, sanitary notices being served where necessary. A number of these premises
were found as a result of reports received from the School Authorities concerning
children in a verminous condition.
Verminous Persons.
During the year the homes of 24 children, four boys and 20 girls,
notified as verminous by the School Medical Officer, were reported with a view to the
homes, bedding, etc., being dealt with by the Sanitary Authority, whilst the children
were cleansed and their clothing disinfected at the cleansing stations of the London
County Council. Intimation was received that 3 boys and 8 girls had been
given the opportunity of being cleansed at these stations, that in the case of a boy
and girl statutory notices had been served upon the parents to cleanse the children
within 24 hours under section 87 of the Education Act, 1921, and that in the case of
11 girls legal proceedings were pending for non-compliance with the requirements
of the statutory notices under the Act. In all the cases reported the homes were
visited by the sanitary inspectors, and the following summarizes the reports received:—
Seven of the homes were satisfactory, the condition varying from fairly clean to clean,
and 9 were dirty. In 6 instances the bedding was fairly clean and in 10 instances
it was dirty.
The children reported by the school authorities as suffering from scabies numbered
225, of whom 134 were females. As a result of the enquiries made, 8 other cases
came under observation. As far as practicable steps were taken to prevent the
spread of infection.
Offensive Trades.
The only business carried on in the Borough which falls within this category is
that of a fur skin dresser. Eleven visits of inspection were made.
Rag and Bone Dealers.
At the end of the year 17 premises to which bye-laws under Section 9 of the
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1908, as amended by Section 146
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, apply were on the register. Fifty-six visits
were paid to these during the year. Intimation as to the need for cleanliness was
sent and duly attended to in three instances.