[Report 1948] / Medical Officer of Health, Fife County Council.

  • Fife (Scotland). County Council.
Date:
1948
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1948] / Medical Officer of Health, Fife County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    It must be emphasised that where there is any doubt at all it is only in those schools where experience with this method has been relatively short and where the short-lived whiteness of the floors after washing seemed to impress more than the darker but dust free floors. The only points which arise for possible criticism are,. (1) the quality of the brushes which have been in use—but even here there seems to be some divergence in the various reports and one wonders to what extent the criticism is not in part due to different ways in which the brushes were used : (2) the efficiency of D. G. R. in removing milk and grease stains. Here there is some difference of opinion probably due in part to the mottled appearance produced on the floor where there are many grease spots. Spilling of milk entails more application of water and soap where the old method of cleaning is in use and consequently repeated and greater damage to the wood of the floors. It is very unfortunate that milk must be consumed in classrooms but some schools manage to reduce to a minimum the spilling of milk by pupils. It, therefore, stands to reason that in schools where rooms are used for different purposes, different problems arise as regards cleaning and this applies to whatever method of cleaning is used. There is no doubt that the ordinary method of sweeping with sawdust (dry or wet) is not effective in keeping down dust and we know that it causes dust to lie on desks and on walls whereby special dusting is necessary. It also affects the health of the cleaners. Scrubbing with soap and water may produce a whiter surface but this does not last long and the use of soap and water definitely helps to disintegrate wood fibre and so increases splintering of wood. Such wood also harbours dust and microbes despite its white appearance. The “ dusmo ” method from observation over a large number of years, helps to preserve and conserve wood and only minimal quantities of dirt lodge in the seams between the wood. Properly used it removed the bulk of the dust and dirt without scattering it around classrooms on or in desks and cupboards. It is obvious that the maximum benefits of the “ dusmo method cannot be obtained with old and worn boards although even here the results are superior to that of the old method. The “ dusmo ” method is not a labour or money saving device. If the technique is understood and properly applied excellent results will be obtained, and it would seem that its cost should not exceed that of the older method, nor should the technique be more difficult or burdensome. Actually, it has been demonstrated that it has improved the working conditions of the cleaners. In view of the definite hygienic and conserving qualities of the “ dusmo ” method, it is recommended that the method be extended to all the schools in the County.