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74
closed overnight, but in many cases they have to be re-occupied the
same evening and in these circumstances the rooms are closed early
in the day and opened six to eight hours later. A charge of 2s. 6d.
per room is made for fumigation except in cases of poverty or where
the infestation is obviously not due to neglect on the part of the
owner or the present occupier.
Contact sprays are used where the conditions are not safe or
suitable for sulphur dioxide fumigation. Experience has shown
that the various contact sprays are not so effective as fumigation,
but they are useful in dealing with early or slight infestations and
for restricting infestation in old property, and can be used with
safety by tenants. For the convenience of the public a liquid
contact spray and hand sprayer are supplied by the Public Health
Department at cost prices. This facility is in great demand and
during the year 4,904 pint bottles of insecticide and 370 hand
sprayers were supplied. This sale at as low a price as possible of
material for dealing with infestations as they arise has been tried
for some years past and the Sanitary Inspectors report a marked
decrease in the number and extent of infestations in recent years.
The contact spray in use in Hackney has been selected for (a)
its lethal effect upon bugs and their eggs, (b) its effectiveness in
driving out vermin from behind woodwork, etc., (c) its non-staining
character (it can be used without damage to bedding, clothing and
furniture), and (d) its safety and simplicity of application.
Several experiments have been made in the Borough in the use
of hydrogen cyanide for house disinfestation, but the difficulty of
clearing premises of the gas and the danger to the occupiers of
adjoining houses is such that it has been decided to rely upon other
methods of house fumigation.
There is no doubt that bed bugs are carried from house to house
by the transfer or sale of old furniture and belongings. It is now
found that really heavy infestations of vermin are seldom discovered
except in the rooms occupied by aged and infirm persons who are
unable to keep their homes in a clean condition, and the death or
removal to hospital of such persons is generally followed by a distribution
of effects among relatives and neighbours or sale to dealers.
The improvement in the Borough in this respect is remarkable.
With a view to preventing the infestation of vermin-free houses in
this way the Public Health Department collects free of charge
verminous or discarded belongings and this material is destroyed in
an incinerator erected for the purpose at the Disinfecting Station
in 1935. During 1937 collections of old material for destruction
were made in 52 instances following the death or removal to hospital
of the owners. Similar collections were made from 431 other