View report page

85
Fublic Library removed and disinfected, and returned to the Chief
Librarian. The inspection has resulted in the discovery of more or
less insanitary conditions in 459 of the premises, which have been
remedied, in addition to the fumigation of the infected rooms, and,
where necessary, stripping, whitewashing and cleansing.
The bedding and clothing removed from infected premises have been
disinfected at the Council's disinfecting chamber. The undermentioned
articles have been dealt with:—
Beds 956
Bolsters 497
Pillows 1278
Blankets 1205
Miscellaneous 7824
Rooms fumigated or sprayed 988
Schools, throughout 9
„ cloakrooms 80
Library books disinfected 96
Overcrowding.—This nuisance has been found to exist in fifty-four
premises during the year, in most cases being confined to one or two of
the rooms, and in a considerable number of the cases is associated with
dirty conditions, as well as frequently with dire poverty. In every case
it was abated without resort to legal proceedings ; often by a rearrangement
of the occupancy As far as I have been able to ascertain by
careful enquiry, in no case has the overcrowding been simply transferred
to another house, as is sometimes the case Unwholesome as
overcrowding in rooms undoubtedly is, the surrounding conditions in
Walthamstow, of open thoroughfares and good air space at the rear of
the houses, renders it of course much less of an evil to the town than in
older towns where there is also overcrowding on area.
Damp Houses.—In some of the older houses, dampness is occasionally
found to exist, due to want of a proper damp-proof course, or want
of adequate ventilation of the space beneath the ground floor, and inefficient
surface drainage. In nine cases during the year this has been
remedied, and the homes made dry and warm by owners at my instance,
by the provision of paving, drainage, damp-proof course and ventilation.
Bakehouses.—There are 56 bakehouses in the district, of which 6
are underground. The periodical cleansing required by Act of