View report page

49
Poliomyelitis.—Following the occurrence of cases of poliomyelitis
the following precautionary methods were taken throughout
the Borough:—
Spraying with a germicidal solution was carried out several
times daily in all the offices frequented by the general public in the
Town Hall. Similar action was also taken in the Central and
Branch Libraries.
Static tanks which still contained water were sprayed with a
crude oil containing D.D.T. and those tanks which had dried out
but which contained quantities of refuse were sprayed with D.D.T.
A suitable germicidal solution was also provided for use in all
public conveniences and all water closet seats and floors were
regularly disinfected. A carbolic solution was used for flushing the
sanitary conveniences.
The Garage Superintendent was supplied with crude carbolic
for diluting for use in connection with the dust vans and other
vehicles used in connection with refuse removal.
The soiled areas on sites used for the temporary deposit of pig
food and other refuse awaiting removal by the Borough Engineer's
Department were sprayed after removal of the material. It was not
possible to spray over accumulations of pig food since the insecticide
would have caused the food to become harmful to the animals.
Bombed sites from which offensive refuse had been removed
were also sprayed with a D.D.T. solution. It has always been the
practice of the Public Health Department to treat contaminated
areas from which refuse has been removed in this way, but more
stringent methods were taken in view of the existing circumstances.
It was not found necessary to close any day nurseries or similar
institutions and it was also possible to keep the swimming baths
open since there did not appear to be any danger owing to the
system of chlorination and the avoidance of overcrowding and the
generally satisfactory way of dealing with the towels and cleaning
of the baths. One swimming gala was held, but otherwise the
galas were discontinued.
The positive action taken in the Borough was directed more
towards preventing any danger from flies, and the spraying of the
Town Hall and Libraries was adopted with a view to allaying the
fears of the public that those buildings might be a source of infection
rather than from any fear that they were, in fact, a source of
infection.