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100
brought about by the work of the Council's staff with
the co-operation of owners of property. A perusal
of the list of works resulting from sanitary and other
notices (page 80) gives an indication of the type and
volume of work carried out in one year. It must be
remembered that inspections of houses, the service of
notices and the supervision of the work resulting from
the notices comprise only a part of the duties of the
Sanitary Inspectors as they have many other duties such
as food inspection, inspection of food premises, inspection
of workshops and certain duties in connection with
factories. They also give advice on those aspects of
domestic hygiene with which their special training and
experience make them familiar.
The work of the Health Visitors at the Maternity
and Child Welfare Centres and their visits to the homes
has had a great influence in educating mothers of families
regarding personal hygiene and in improving home
conditions.
It is well known that there is a marked improvement
in the personal cleanliness of school children, and
the school medical and nursing services have had a great
deal to do with this. Chronic infestation by head and
body lice, which are indications of gross neglect of
personal cleanliness, is now comparatively rare and
certain grave diseases which were once spread by these
pests are now seldom met with in this country
Bugs are unfortunately still prevalent in certain
houses. Bugs are very difficult to eradicate as they
breed and lay their eggs behind woodwork, in and behind
plaster walls and in cracks and crevices in the plaster.
Athough much more common in dirty houses they may
occur in houses otherwise clean.
The question is sometimes raised as to whether the
landlord or the tenant has been responsible for the bugs;
in many cases previous landlords or tenants were responsible
as they failed to take the steps necessary for their
eradication. No matter who was originally responsible,