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Destruction of vermin by hydrocyanic gas
PUBLIC HEALTH. proceedings to the high level which they attained and helped to guarantee success for the meeti ng. The principal subject for discussion was " The Education of the Public in regard to ~utrition," with Professor J..\. Xixon of Bristol University and Dr. 'V. G. Savage of Somerset as the opening speakers. In their r-xrr-llent and interesting contributions both speakers dealt wilh the scientific aspects of the present-day knowledge of nutrition and the practical application of that knowledge. The afternoon session of the conference was opened by Dr. James Fenton (Chairman of the Central Council for Health Education) with an address in which he outlined the origin and functions of the Central Council. and took the opportunity of urging those local authorities who alreadv subscribe to the Council's funds to increase their subscription, and those (and how many there are !) who so far have not subscribed to show their appreciation of the work of the Council by making the financial recognition that the Minister and the Ministry of Health counted as proper to be made. j\ short discussion on " Education of the Public in regard to the Consumption of Milk," ahlv opened by Mr. A. D. Allen (Secretary of the National l\lilk Publicity Council) and the showing of two recently produced health educational films, brought to a close a conference of the greatest practical value, a full report of which will appear in the January number of >I<
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Destruction of Vermin by Hydrocyanic Gas. N the public health service at the moment I considerable thought is being given to the problem of the disinfestation of verminous houses, and the various methods described and vaunted are receiving close investigation. For this reason a demonstration given Or'. October 12th, 1934, at the Wood Lane depot of the Royal Borough of Kensington, of the newlyinstalled plant and apparatus for the treatment of furniture by hydrocyanic acid gas, though primarily for members of the Metropolitan Branch of the Society, deserves wider notice. After opening remarks by the Mayor and Lord Balfour of Burleigh, whose interest in all matters relating to the housing of the people is so wellknown, Dr. James Fenton, the Medical Officer of Health, explained the object of the new
DEC1~l\lBER
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station. lie emphasised the desirability of all t:urniturc from sl~m and clearance areas being treed from vermin before removal into ne\V dwellings. As was well known, disinfestation in badly infested houses was difficult, and to fumigate a house and its contents in one operation was almost impossible in decayed and dilapidated houses. It was with this knowledge that the Kensington Borough Council decided to instal a special disinfestation station, and great assistance had been rendered by Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd. Dr. Fenton, in describing the station, containers, etc., and the method of procedure. explained that the vans employed are similar to those used by railway companies for door-ro., door transport service, and are of all-welded steel construction, provided with a sliding door on one side. In a recess provided at one end are placed the vaporisers in which the cyanide is boiled, and an outlet to an exhaust fan. Inside the vans are electric tubular heaters, as the gas is found to be more effective when applied in a heated compartment. The neces_ sary electrical connections are made at the recess. The vans, which measure 14 feet by 6 feet 6 inches by 6 feet 8 inches, are built on chassis conforming with the latest traffic regulations for road vehicles. For the sake of safety the vans are built to withstand great pressure. All persons who are allocated flats in new housing estates are notified that fumigation of all their effects must be carried out before they take up occupation of their new home. At least a week's notice is given as to the date and time of removal. On the day fixed the council's van arrives at the old home at about 8 a.m., when all the furniture and effects are loaded in the vehicle. On completion of the loading the van proceeds to the depot, where the container is run off the chassis on to the prepared track. The bedding is removed from the van and taken to the Council's disinfecting station, which is situated close at hand, to be treated by saturated steam. The tight-fitting door of the van is then closed, the van connected to the suction line by means of a flexible hosepipe and the valve connecting the hose to the suction line closed. The electrical leads from the'van heaters are then connected to the switch., board and the heating apparatus switched on. The cyanide, in liquid form, is then poured into the vaporiser, the cap screwed on tightly, and the hot-plate beneath the vaporiser heated by means of electricity. The cyanide evaporates in
PUBLIC HEALTH.
1934.
about 10 or 12 minutes, after which the current to the hot-plate is cut off. The van is allowed to retain its charge of gas for two hours, at the end of which time the outlet valve is opened and the exhaust fan set in motion. A through current of air is obtained in the vans by opening the cap of the vaporiser. The van is allowed to air in this manner for :~ to 4 hours, after which the door is opened and natural airing allowed for a short time. The van and its contents are then tested by means of a filter paper dipped into a solution of benzidine acetate and copper acetate. The presence of cyanide in even the minutest quantity turns the test paper blue. As soon as the van is clear of gas the stearn-heated bedding is loaded, and the whole taken to the new home. It is of value to note that, in the opinion of Dr. Fenton, the results of the cyanide treatment have been splendid. Frequent examinations proved that all vermin were killed, and subsequent inspection of the furniture in the new homes had shown that the eggs had been rendered sterile.
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Serological Tests for Syphilis in Infants and Young Children.
W
H I L E it is often highly important to investigate the question of syphilitic infection of infants and young children, it is sometimes impossible to obtain more than a very smaIl amount of blood. In such circumstances the amount of serum available for testing purposes may be insufficient for even one test when this is carried out by the ordinary technique employed in the laboratory, and the clinician may thus be deprived of valuable evidence. In order to elucidate the question an investigation was undertaken by Dr. E. J. Wyler, xt.c., of the Ministry of Health, the results of which are described in a report recently issued.- In this Dr. Wyler shows that he found four tests (Wassermann, Kahn, Meinicke, and Rosenthal) suitable for psediatric practice in which only very small quantities of patients' serum may be available for test. An efficient Wassermann test, in fact, can be carried out with O·0~33 C.c. serum; the Kahn reaction with about 0·06 c.c., and the Rosenthal with about 0·05 c.c. The Meinicke micro reaction requires such a minute amount of serum that it might well be carried -Ministry of Health Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects, No. 74. H .M. Stationery Office, 1934. Price 6d. net.
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out as a routine parallel test in every case, however small the quantity of serum available for other tests. The result might be a valuable confirmation of that obtained by other methods. Each of the methods, the investigation revealed, possessed certain advantages and disadvantages, but for choice when the available amount of serum is very limited, Dr. 'W yler unhesitatingly advises the Wassermann, since this test as descrihed is really a reproduction in miniature of a routine method of established reliahility. The Wassermann should be accompanied hy the Kahn when possible and always hy the Meinicke, The Kahn, Rosenthal, and Meinicke, either singly or preferahly in combination, should be reserved for those occasions when speed is the paramount consideration or the Wassermann is not available. In the prefatory note by Sir George Newman, the view is expressed that if the technique described is employed, amounts of serum that are barelv sufficient for one test by routine technique" can be tested hy two or more methods - a double ad vantage, since syphilologists and pathologists are practically unanimous on the desirability of testing every specimen of serum by more than one method. With this view those concerned in work of this kind wiII agree, as they will also that the report is a most valuable addition to the literature on the subject.
* * • ~ The Public Dental Service.
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N his valedictory address to the Dental I Officers' Group of the Society, Mr. Doswell Wallis reviewed the conditions of the public dental officer as regards service, status and salaries. Conditions of service, he held , were often unsatisfactory, especially in country districts. Unsuitable accommodation and a poor "instrumentaria " meant loss of efficiency, and the authorities should impress the need for wellbuilt, well-ventilated and well-lighted clinics in prominent parts of a town. The dental surgeon should not he satisfied to be tucked away in a poor dwelling in a little known street. As to status, Mr. Wallis gave it as the opinion of the Group that dental schemes should incorporate a chief dental officer and assistants, the chief being responsible for the administration of his own department. Remuneration was still in an unsatisfactory state, some areas paying the Association scale, while others kept men at the minimum or tried to evade even the lowest acceptable rate of pay.
PUBLIC l-lJ.:,\LTH.
*
*
...
...
Destruction of Vermin by Hydrocyanic Gas. N the public health service at the moment I considerable thought is being given to the problem of the disinfestation of verminous houses, and the various methods described and vaunted are receiving close investigation. For this reason a demonstration given Or'. October 12th, 1934, at the Wood Lane depot of the Royal Borough of Kensington, of the newlyinstalled plant and apparatus for the treatment of furniture by hydrocyanic acid gas, though primarily for members of the Metropolitan Branch of the Society, deserves wider notice. After opening remarks by the Mayor and Lord Balfour of Burleigh, whose interest in all matters relating to the housing of the people is so wellknown, Dr. James Fenton, the Medical Officer of Health, explained the object of the new
DEC1~l\lBER
•
station. lie emphasised the desirability of all t:urniturc from sl~m and clearance areas being treed from vermin before removal into ne\V dwellings. As was well known, disinfestation in badly infested houses was difficult, and to fumigate a house and its contents in one operation was almost impossible in decayed and dilapidated houses. It was with this knowledge that the Kensington Borough Council decided to instal a special disinfestation station, and great assistance had been rendered by Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd. Dr. Fenton, in describing the station, containers, etc., and the method of procedure. explained that the vans employed are similar to those used by railway companies for door-ro., door transport service, and are of all-welded steel construction, provided with a sliding door on one side. In a recess provided at one end are placed the vaporisers in which the cyanide is boiled, and an outlet to an exhaust fan. Inside the vans are electric tubular heaters, as the gas is found to be more effective when applied in a heated compartment. The neces_ sary electrical connections are made at the recess. The vans, which measure 14 feet by 6 feet 6 inches by 6 feet 8 inches, are built on chassis conforming with the latest traffic regulations for road vehicles. For the sake of safety the vans are built to withstand great pressure. All persons who are allocated flats in new housing estates are notified that fumigation of all their effects must be carried out before they take up occupation of their new home. At least a week's notice is given as to the date and time of removal. On the day fixed the council's van arrives at the old home at about 8 a.m., when all the furniture and effects are loaded in the vehicle. On completion of the loading the van proceeds to the depot, where the container is run off the chassis on to the prepared track. The bedding is removed from the van and taken to the Council's disinfecting station, which is situated close at hand, to be treated by saturated steam. The tight-fitting door of the van is then closed, the van connected to the suction line by means of a flexible hosepipe and the valve connecting the hose to the suction line closed. The electrical leads from the'van heaters are then connected to the switch., board and the heating apparatus switched on. The cyanide, in liquid form, is then poured into the vaporiser, the cap screwed on tightly, and the hot-plate beneath the vaporiser heated by means of electricity. The cyanide evaporates in
PUBLIC HEALTH.
1934.
about 10 or 12 minutes, after which the current to the hot-plate is cut off. The van is allowed to retain its charge of gas for two hours, at the end of which time the outlet valve is opened and the exhaust fan set in motion. A through current of air is obtained in the vans by opening the cap of the vaporiser. The van is allowed to air in this manner for :~ to 4 hours, after which the door is opened and natural airing allowed for a short time. The van and its contents are then tested by means of a filter paper dipped into a solution of benzidine acetate and copper acetate. The presence of cyanide in even the minutest quantity turns the test paper blue. As soon as the van is clear of gas the stearn-heated bedding is loaded, and the whole taken to the new home. It is of value to note that, in the opinion of Dr. Fenton, the results of the cyanide treatment have been splendid. Frequent examinations proved that all vermin were killed, and subsequent inspection of the furniture in the new homes had shown that the eggs had been rendered sterile.
-
-
. . .
Serological Tests for Syphilis in Infants and Young Children.
W
H I L E it is often highly important to investigate the question of syphilitic infection of infants and young children, it is sometimes impossible to obtain more than a very smaIl amount of blood. In such circumstances the amount of serum available for testing purposes may be insufficient for even one test when this is carried out by the ordinary technique employed in the laboratory, and the clinician may thus be deprived of valuable evidence. In order to elucidate the question an investigation was undertaken by Dr. E. J. Wyler, xt.c., of the Ministry of Health, the results of which are described in a report recently issued.- In this Dr. Wyler shows that he found four tests (Wassermann, Kahn, Meinicke, and Rosenthal) suitable for psediatric practice in which only very small quantities of patients' serum may be available for test. An efficient Wassermann test, in fact, can be carried out with O·0~33 C.c. serum; the Kahn reaction with about 0·06 c.c., and the Rosenthal with about 0·05 c.c. The Meinicke micro reaction requires such a minute amount of serum that it might well be carried -Ministry of Health Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects, No. 74. H .M. Stationery Office, 1934. Price 6d. net.
87
out as a routine parallel test in every case, however small the quantity of serum available for other tests. The result might be a valuable confirmation of that obtained by other methods. Each of the methods, the investigation revealed, possessed certain advantages and disadvantages, but for choice when the available amount of serum is very limited, Dr. 'W yler unhesitatingly advises the Wassermann, since this test as descrihed is really a reproduction in miniature of a routine method of established reliahility. The Wassermann should be accompanied hy the Kahn when possible and always hy the Meinicke, The Kahn, Rosenthal, and Meinicke, either singly or preferahly in combination, should be reserved for those occasions when speed is the paramount consideration or the Wassermann is not available. In the prefatory note by Sir George Newman, the view is expressed that if the technique described is employed, amounts of serum that are barelv sufficient for one test by routine technique" can be tested hy two or more methods - a double ad vantage, since syphilologists and pathologists are practically unanimous on the desirability of testing every specimen of serum by more than one method. With this view those concerned in work of this kind wiII agree, as they will also that the report is a most valuable addition to the literature on the subject.
* * • ~ The Public Dental Service.
~
N his valedictory address to the Dental I Officers' Group of the Society, Mr. Doswell Wallis reviewed the conditions of the public dental officer as regards service, status and salaries. Conditions of service, he held , were often unsatisfactory, especially in country districts. Unsuitable accommodation and a poor "instrumentaria " meant loss of efficiency, and the authorities should impress the need for wellbuilt, well-ventilated and well-lighted clinics in prominent parts of a town. The dental surgeon should not he satisfied to be tucked away in a poor dwelling in a little known street. As to status, Mr. Wallis gave it as the opinion of the Group that dental schemes should incorporate a chief dental officer and assistants, the chief being responsible for the administration of his own department. Remuneration was still in an unsatisfactory state, some areas paying the Association scale, while others kept men at the minimum or tried to evade even the lowest acceptable rate of pay.