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29
The number of houses and articles disinfeeted during the
year was larger than in any year of recent date, as no less than
1,159 houses or portions of houses were disinfected with
burning sulphur by the officers of the Board, and as many as
6,791 articles of bedding and clothing were removed to the
Board's disinfecting chamber, and submitted to a temperature
of between 240 and 250 degrees Fahr. for four hours, and
again exposed to sulphur fumes. As the artioles removed are
always exposed to burning sulphur before they are removed,
and afterwards in the disinfecting chamber, they are exposed to
three disinfecting processes, and, so far as I know, when
returned have never been a cause of subsequent disease. Whatever
may be the theory of what is necessary for a thorough
disinfection of rooms and articles of bedding, &c., I believe it
to be quite certain that the prooess just detailed has removed all
infection. The appended list shows the number of beds,
mattrasses, &c., as well as of artioles of bedding, wearing
apparel, &c., in each year since 1878. In most instances no
charge was made, as the sufferers belonged to poor families, but
all who could reasonably be expected to pay did so, the sum
charged being for labour only. The sum received last year was
£38 17s. Large quantities of disinfectants were given away to
the poor, and were also used for the gullies by the Surveyor's
staff, the cost of the whole being £95.