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to cleanse and disinfect the living accommodation and household
articles.
Bathing Facilities at Public Baths
The Borough Council arrange for old age pensioners to
have hot baths at a reduced charge. Over 5,000 attendances
were made by old people at the Council's Baths during the
year.
Laundering for Aged and Incontinent
Under powers contained in the Public Health (London)
Act, the Council provides a service for the washing of
soiled linen belonging to the aged and incontinent where
other arrangements are not reasonably possible. The
Disinfecting staff of the Health Department carry out this
work and there has recently been a greatly increased demand
for this service.
There is a collection three times weekly and the number
of persons using this service at any one time averages
eight.
The total number of articles dealt with during the
year was 10,493 comprising the following:-
Night attire 973; Sheets 4,086; Draw Sheets 1,828;
Blankets 183; Pillow cases 583; Towels 1,122;
Miscellaneous 1,718.
STREET CLEANSING
In the Borough there are over 155 miles of roads to be
cleansed, of which 15 per cent are swept at least once
daily, 20 per cent three to six times weekly, 55 per cent
twice weekly and 10 per cent once weekly.
Eighty-seven street sweepers are employed on the work,
and, in addition, a mechanical sweeper and sprinkler is
used to sweep the roads in the shopping areas of Powis Street,
Plumstead High Street and Eltham High Street.
Approximately 9,500 street gulleys are cleansed periodically
by mechanical gulley cleansing machines.
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