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routine inspections of houses, opportunity is taken of verifying
that the prescribed information is accurately inserted
in the tenants' rent books. In 30 instances it was discovered
that the "permitted number" had not been inserted in the prescribed
form. A letter to each owner concerned proved
sufficient to rectify the omission.
The number of dwellings overcrowded at the end of the
year, the new cases reported, and cases relieved during 1938,
are shown in the Table of Housing Statistics, para. 4, at page
58. Notices to abate overcrowding which had occurred
since the "appointed day" were served in five instances.
Eradication of Bed-Bugs. Twenty-six houses were
found on inspection to be infested with bed-bugs and are
classified as follows in accordance with the requirements of
the Ministry's Circular 1728:—
Council Houses. Other Houses. Total.
14 12 26
Of the 26 houses infested, 18 were treated by spraying with
" Vermicine," 4 by fumigation with " Cimex " and 2 by fumigation
with sulphur-dioxide, together with the use of blowlamps.
One house owned by the L.C.C. was treated with
H.C.N. Gas and the treatment of the remaining house was
pending at the end of the year.
The household effects of two families were subjected to
van disinfestation by H.C.N. Gas prior to removal to Council
Houses, and in four instances the bedding at verminous houses
was dealt with by steam disinfection and in one case was
destroyed.
In connection with applications for tenancies of Council
Houses, 62 inspections of household effects and of premises
were made, and in 13 instances evidence of vermin infestation
was found.
Drainage work. At 16 houses the drainage systems were
entirely reconstructed and at 34 houses extensive repairs to
drains were carried out. Smoke and water tests were applied
to the drains of houses in 59 instances and obstructions were
removed from drains at 160 houses.
Infectious Diseases and Disinfection. For the purpose
of obtaining information as to the source of infection and
for taking steps to prevent the spread of the disease enquiries
were made in respect of 255 cases of notifiable diseases
as compared with 185 cases in 1937.
Disinfection of rooms was carried out and bedding and
clothing removed for steam disinfection after the removal
of patients to the Isolation Hospital or on the recovery of
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