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47
It is quite futile to merely clean the bodies and clothing of persons, if their
bedding and the homes from which they come, are infested with parasites.
The whole matter should be dealt with by the London County Council themselves
on the grounds that they are the Education Authority and the Authority for
licensing common lodging houses. Further, the cost should be borne as a charge
upon the whole Metropolis, and not upon individual Boroughs, as in the latter
event, Stepney would be called upon to bear an extremely heavy and inequitable
share of the expense.
It was suggested by the Borough Council, that the London County Council
could probably make some arrangements with the Boards of Guardians to utilise
the baths and disinfecting machinery at the casual wards, for dealing with the
children during the daytime, when the baths are not at present used, and with the
adults from the common lodging houses at other times. The cost thus incurred
might be charged to the Common Poor Fund. The adults and children undoubtedly
should be dealt with at different times.
Other suggestions which have been made for dealing with the children are that
the baths should be constructed at each school, or group of schools where necessary,
or that special establishments should be provided and maintained by the London
County Council.
It has also been suggested that part of the Borough Council's public baths
might be used for the purpose, but the objections to this are obvious.
The Public Health Committee recommended the Council:—
(a) To inform the London County Council that this Council are of
opinion that the execution of the provisions of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1907, should be undertaken by the London
County Council and the cost spread over the whole Metropolis.
(b) To suggest to the London County Council that probably arrangements
could be made with the several Boards of Guardians in the Borough
for dealing with the adults and children at the casual wards, the costs
being defrayed out of the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund.
(c) To inform the London County Council that this Council has no
facilities to offer in connection with the carrying into effect of the section
of the Act referred to, as the bathing accommodation at the shelter
attached to the mortuary is required in connection with infectious
diseases and for other purposes connected with the sanitary administration
of the Borough,