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97
During the year it became apparent that repairs and additions to the apparatus
at the Council's disinfecting station were necessary, in the first place owing to the
age of the apparatus, and secondly on account of the additional amount of disinfection
carried out consequent upon the growth of the Borough. In epidemic
periods the old plant was inadequate, overtime had to be worked, and members
of families where infectious disease had occurred were inconvenienced by the late
return of their goods. The apparatus in use consisted of two Washington Lyon
steam disinfectors, installed 27 years ago, which were used when hot for steam
disinfection and when cold for formalin disinfection of articles likely to be damaged
by heat. In considering what changes should be made the Council took the view
that the station should be capable of dealing more speedily and effectively with
the different methods of disinfection than would be possible by the provision of
another high-pressure Manlove & Alliott disinfector similar to the two already
installed.
The disadvantage of the disinfection of certain articles by steam is that if
food or medicine has been spilled on linen or clothing the stain becomes fixed by
contact with steam even though it was not visible at first, and it was obviously
an out-of-date method to hold certain articles in the station over night whilst
waiting for the disinfectors to cool, so that they might be used as formalin chambers.
After due consideration it was resolved to provide a steam pressure plant
with accessories, and to provide a special chamber for formalin for disinfecting
articles which are likely to be damaged by heat. In consequence of these considerations
the following work was done:—
(1) The two original Washington Lyon disinfectors were overhauled and
modernised.
(2) The following new apparatus was installed:—
(а) A rotary washing machine.
(b) A soap boiler.
(c) A hydro-extractor.
(d) A continuous drying room.
(e) A mangle.
(f) Accessories such as trestles, racks, etc.
(3) A brick-built formalin chamber with openings into both sides of the
station was provided.
The total cost of these alterations was £1,457.
It was necessary to close the station for two months while these alterations
were being made, and the disinfection was carried out by the Greenwich Borough
Council for that period, at a charge of £7 10s. 0d. per ton, the total amount paid
to the Greenwich Borough Council being £100 12s. 6d.