Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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51
Removal expenses paid 1
Rent paid while patient in Sanatorium 1
Pocket money 3
Number of persons supplied with dried
milk and drinking chocolate (American
Red Cross) 27
Scabies
The Scabies Order, 1941, provided for the diagnosis and
treatment of scabies.
A clinic for the diagnosis of this condition has been held by
the Medical Officer of Health each morning at Mitcham Court.
Efforts have been made to obtain the co-operation, not only of
the patient, but of the whole family, and all have been treated
when possible.
As Mitcham has no cleansing centre, arrangements for the
treatment of scabies were made at the Mitcham Public Baths.
A part of the baths formerly used for foam baths was partitioned
off and isolated from the public baths, so that a separate entrance
was available.
Usually treatment was with benzyl benzoate lotion 25 per
cent., and this has given very good results. Female patients have
been treated by a nurse on the First Aid Post staff, and the men
have been treated by a baths attendant who has received special
training.
Treatment at the public baths has had the advantage of a
constant supply of hot water, suitably heated premises and a
competent male attendant, but it is not open on Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Sundays, nor other days after 6 p.m., and those members
of the family who are at work are loth to lose time from
work for treatment, especially if they have few or no symptoms.
In order that treatment might be given after 6 p.m., the
Cleansing Section at the Western Road First Aid Post has been
adapted for treatment, and has been in use since June, 1944.
No disinfection of clothing or bedding, other than washing,
has been recommended, and the results have justified the adoption
of this course.