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DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
During 1958, the Department carried out disinfection of 141 rooms
after cases of infectious disease, and 22 of these rooms had been
occupied by tuberculous persons. Over 1,000 inspections for
verminous conditions were made and 75 rooms were disinfested of
vermin.
Several requests were received from local residents wishing to
dispose of old furniture or bedding, much of which was worn-out or
verminous. Thirty such applications were dealt with during the year,
and 158 articles were removed to and destroyed at the Plumstead
Destructor. Of this total, 30 were mattresses, twelve bedsteads,
37 sets of bedding, 36 items of furniture and 43 other sundry items.
Certain countries impose a condition that a Certificate of
Disinfection must accompany a parcel of clothing entering the
country. Three such Certificates were issued to residents wishing
to send clothing to friends or residents abroad. The clothing was
disinfected by the Department and small charges were made.
Certificates of Hygiene were issued to accompany three consignments
of rag-wipers which had been washed, cleaned and sterilised by
a local laundry.
A firm of clothing exporters asked the Council to disinfect a
quantity of clothing before it was exported to Africa. This was
done at a small charge.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
A large part of the Council's pathological and allied work in
relation to the diagnosis, prevention and control of infectious
diseases is undertaken at the Southern Group Laboratory at the
Hither Green Hospital, Lewisham. This service is provided by the
Public Health Laboratory Service.
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