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The Public Health Inspectors carried out nearly fifteen hundred
visits in connexion with verminous conditions, and as a result 362
rooms were disinfested of vermin.
Many requests were received from residents wishing to dispose
of old, unwanted furniture or furnishings. Often the unwanted
articles to be destroyed were dirty or verminous, and in the majority
of cases were formerly owned by old people who had died. The items
which were collected and destroyed at the Council's Destructor
included-
18 sets of bedding
20 items of furniture
12 bedsteads
9 mattresses
Quantity of clothing.
A local firm dealing in rag and other waste material wipers
requested the issue of Certificates of Hygiene to the effect that the
wipers, to be shipped abroad, had been properly sterilised, and washed.
Six Certificates of Hygiene were issued to the firm concerned during
1961, for which small charges were 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 Doctor practising within
the area.
During 1961, 537 Certificates were authenticated by me; 492
related to protection against Smallpox, 21 for Cholera, and 14 for
T.A.B. inoculation.
PERSONAL CLEANSING
The Borough Council maintains two personal Cleansing Stations,
one being at Plumstead (adjoining the Turkish Baths in Plumstead High
Street), and the other at the Lionel Road Centre, Eltham.
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