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192
1907]
DISINFECTION.
By this term is understood the fumigation, cleansing, spraying and
stripping of rooms, the disinfection of schools, as well as of articles of clothing
and household bedding which have become infectcd by an epidemic disease.
Disinfection of Rooms.—As many as 2,402 rooms, as contrasted with
2,685 in the preceding year, were disinfected. The disinfectant employed
was formaldehyde, either in the form of vapour or as a solution. This
method of disinfection has been very successful.
Cleansing and Stripping of Rooms.—760 rooms were cleansed,
sprayed or stripped in 1897, as compared with 552 in the preceding year.
This increase occurred during the second and third quarters, as compared with
1906, as may be seen by the following statement:—
1906. 1907.
1st Quarter 181 182
2nd Quarter 89 241
3rd Quarter 109 168
4th Quarter 173 169
The increase was due principally to the prevalence of measles, the heads
of families being anxious to have their rooms thoroughly disinfected.
Disinfection of Schools.—Class rooms in the following schools were
disinfected, generally owing to Measles or Scarlet Fever among the
scholars:—
1st Quarter. Gifford Street, L.C.C. (Measles.)
2nd Quarter. Blackstock Road, L.C.C. (Measles.)
Tollington Park College. (Scarlet Fever.)
St. John's, Upper Holloway. (Scarlet Fever.)
3rd Quarter. Ecclesbourne Road, L.C.C. (Measles.)
4th Quarter. Arlington Square, Infants. (Scarlet Fever.)
Do. Girls. (Scarlet Fever.)
Gifford Street Manual Training, L.C.C. (Scarlet Fever.)
Guardians' School, Hornsey Road. (Scarlet Fever.)
St. John's, Upper Holloway. (Scarlet Fever.)
Whittington School, Highgate Hill, L.C.C. (Measles.)
Canonbury Road, L.C.C. (Diphtheria.)
Verminous Premises—In 20 instances disinfection of rooms which
were found to be verminous was undertaken by the Public Health Department,
in addition to which many premises were cleansed by the owners of property
on the service of a notice under the provisions of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1904. These provisions have proved of the very
greatest utility in the Borough, so that where formerly we were unable to
effect cleansing, no difficulty is experienced now.