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number 26 rooms had been occupied by tuberculous patients.
The Public Health Inspectors made 762 visits in
connection with verminous conditions, and as a result of
these inspections it was found necessary to disinfest 349
rooms of vermin.
Many requests from residents in the Borough to remove
and destroy old and unwanted furniture and furnishings
were received. The articles to be destroyed were mainly
dirty and verminous. The items which were collected and
later destroyed at the Plumstead Destructor included
14 mattresses, 16 bedsteads, 21 sets of bedding, 42 pieces
of furniture,and 50 sundry items.
A local firm which specialises in rag and other waste
wipers periodically requires the issue of a Certificate of
Hygiene to the effect that a consignment of rags has been
efficiently washed and sterilized. This particularly
applies when the rags are for export. Seven such
Certificates were Issued to this Company during the year,
for which a small charge was made.
AUTHENTICATION OF CERTIFICATES OF VACCINATION
Persons proceeding abroad are required to produce in
certain countries evidence of recent successful vaccination
or inoculation. The signatures on these certificates are
not acceptable by the countries concerned unless authenticated
by the Medical Officer of Health as being the bona
fide signature of a Dootor practising within the area.
During the year 564 Certificates were authenticated
by me, 546 relating to protection against smallpox, 12
for cholera, and six for typhoid fever.
PERSONAL CLEANSING
The Borough Council maintains two personal cleansing
stations, one being at Plumstead (adjoining the Turkish
Baths, Plumstead High Street), and the other at the Lionel
Road Centre, Eltham.
The number of persons cleansed in 1959 was 1086,
and the number treated for scabies was 69.
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