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Preventive treatment was given to 301 persons who had been in
close contact with persons suffering from scabies.
Information was received of 234 Hackney children of school
age who were treated for scabies at London County Council bathing
centres in adjoining boroughs and of 57 persons who were treated
at various hospitals and other treatment centres.
The Health Visitors called at the homes of all persons known
to be suffering from scabies and, as far as possible, inspected the
contacts.
It was necessary to serve the following notices under the Scabies '
Order, 1941:—
Notice to occupier to permit inspection of premises 13
Notice to attend for medical examination 12
Notice requiring attendance for treatment 13

Treatment of scabies at the Cleansing Station has been confined
to the benzyl benzoate method which has been found effective, the
large majority of cases clearing in two treatments. Cases requiring
more than two treatments are usually complicated, i.e., impetigo or
secondary infection.
A number of recurrent infections have been noted. This is,
no doubt, due to lack of hygiene. Particulars of these cases are not
available but it is hoped to carry out further investigation of such
cases in future.
The small number of men attending for treatment as compared
with women is striking; even the depletion of the male population
by reason of the service of men with the Armed Forces does not
account for the disparity. It is possible that a larger proportion
of men receive treatment from private practitioners or it may be that
many men rely upon self-treatment which is, of course, unsatisfactory.
Possibly some light will be thrown on this problem if the