View report page

Disinfection
In cases of infectious disease, rooms, clothing, etc., were disinfected—rooms by
sealing and fumigating with a formalin preparation; clothing, bedding and other infected
articles by removal for disinfection.
Lists of premises, articles, etc., disinfected during the year.
Rooms 7 Eiderdowns 4
Beds 7 Pillows
Blankets 17 Plimsolls (routine disinfection
Mattresses - during holiday for Feather-
Sheets 14 stone Road School) (pairs) 180
Books 60 Miscellaneous articles ... -
Smallpox Disinfection:
In the event of smallpox occurring within the district and disinfection being required
on a considerable scale, arrangements have been made whereby this could be carried out.
An agreement was made with the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board
whereby in such an event the staff of St. John's Hospital, Uxbridge, would carry out this
work.
Provision of Antitoxin and Vaccine Lymph
The Council provides diphtheria antitoxin and tetanus antitoxin free to local
practitioners in the district. These antitoxins are obtainable from the Public Health
Department during office hours and by direct request to the Medical Officer of Health at
other times. In the event of emergency supplies of vaccine lymph being required, they are
obtainable at very short notice.
Scabies and Lice
During 1956 one case of infestation with body lice was brought to the Public Health
Department for cleansing. Baths and treatment were arranged at Hammersmith Cleansing
Station by courtesy of Hammersmith Borough Council. No cleansing for scabies or head
lice were required during the year. Table XI gives details of head inspections in schools,
and here there seems a continuing improvement each year, except that the number of
compulsory cleansings necessary in 1956 was 16 as compared with 9 the year before. This
figure, however, is still a reasonably low one.
zo