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a complete eradication of scabies at the moment, owing to the
general overcrowding in the homes of the people, and also to
the lack of soap and washing facilities.
At the beginning of the year there were two Centres
functioning, but from June onwards there was only one Centre
in operation at the Council's Balaam Street Baths.
Children discovered at school to be suffering from the
infection were sent for treatment by the school medical officers.
The general practitioners also sent their patients for treatment,
and many cases were received from out-patient departments
of the hospitals in the area. The treatment, which consisted
mainly of thorough bathing and painting with Benzyl Benzoate,
proved very successful.
The general public appreciated the facilities available, as
is evidenced by their continued attendance until a cure was made.
Many patients suffering from skin diseases, other than
scabies attended for treatment. These were examined by the
Medical Superintendent of the Council's Infectious Diseases
Hospital, who paid daily visits to the Centres, and cases
requiring hospital treatment were admitted to Plaistow Hospital.
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION The number
of dwellings disinfected after removal to hospital, recovery or
death of a patient was 738, involving the disinfection of 898
rooms.
Disinfestation for vermin was carried out in 305 premises.
VENEREAL DISEASES. The Council participates in a
Joint Scheme with the London County Council and adjoining
Counties and County Boroughs. The following particulars,
supplied by the London County Council regarding West Ham
cases attending the various treatment centres, have been
abstracted:
New Patients—
Syphilis 41
Soft Chancre —
Gonorrhoea 99
Not Venereal 211
Total 351
Total attendances of all patients 5,230
Total number of in-patient days 15
Pathological Examinations—
For or at the Centres:
Spirochaetes —
Gonococci 1,326
Wasserman 718
Others 2,063
For Practitioners— Total 4,107
Wasserman —
Others —
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