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55
(b) for the destruction of vermin:
Number of rooms disinfested 875
Number of articles destroyed 545
Number of beds, mattresses, blankets, etc.,
treated in cyanide gas chambers 4,341
Number of articles disinfested by other
means 4,813
Number of van loads of furniture treated in
cyanide gas chambers 229
During the year the Council undertook at the request of the
Tottenham Borough Council the treatment by cyanide gas of the
furniture and effects of persons removing into housing accommodation
on the Council's estates. A total of 114 van loads (included
in the figure of 229 mentioned above) were dealt with under this
arrangement.
In addition 30 van loads and 161 dustbins of verminous and
unwholesome articles were removed to the Disinfecting Station
for destruction.
The cyanide gas chambers were again used on several occasions
for the destruction of food pests in such articles as semolina, ergot
of rye, barley flakes, nuts, scotch oatmeal, turkish tares, turkish
rhubarb, jalop root, pearl macaroni and rice bran. The total
weight of the foodstuff treated was 22½ tons.
The following additional work was also carried out at the
Disinfecting Station:—
2,500 blankets (export).
7 tons malacca cane.
1 van load of felt mats.
10 bundles of furniture stuffing.
Various book cases, book shelves and books.
The staff of the disinfecting station have removed 11 van loads
of rubbish, 95 dustbins of rubbish and 32 miscellaneous items from
bombed sites in the Borough in those cases where responsibility for
the deposits could not be placed upon the owners of the land or other
persons. The depositing of rubbish upon these sites is a constantly
recurring nuisance, and removal by the staff of the Public Health
Department is often necessary in order to avoid danger to the
health of the public.