London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Woolwich 1909

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]

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96
2 adult females, and 195 children under 16 years of age. 87
of these persons applied on account of verminous bodies, and
170 for verminous heads. In 1909, baths were taken by 408
persons, viz., 115 adult males, and 293 children; 392 for
verminous bodies, 13 for verminous heads, and 3 for itch.
2462 articles were disinfected, and the disinfector was used
298 times. The adults came mainly from common lodginghouses,
and the children were mostly sent from County Council
Schools. It is seen that there has been an increasd use of the
Station by school children, who nearly all come now for
verminous bodies. Verminous heads can be dealt with at
home. The increase of children bathing is due to the greater
stringency of the Education Authority in requiring cleanliness
of scholars.
The construction and modus operandi of the Station were
fully described in the 1906 report. It is to be remembered
that there is no female attendant for the bath, the only person
in charge being the man who has the care of the general disinfecting
station. To this may be ascribed the fact that
no adult females patronise the bath.
The need of a female is also noticed for the children, who
come in large numbers. It is often very difficult to get the
mother, or other responsible female, to accompany the children,
and as it is not safe to allow children to use the bath by themselves,
they often have to be refused admission.
A box of white precipitate ointment is supplied to each
bather with instructions for its use. The names and addresses
of bathers are entered in a book, and the Lady Inspector calls
at the houses, and arranges for necessary disinfection, and
cleansing of bedding and rooms.