London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Camberwell 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.
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18
Prevention of Damage by Pests.
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, which came
into operation on 31st March, 1950, supersedes the Eats and
Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919. It lays a duty upon every local
authority to take such steps as may be necessary to secure so
far as practicable that their district is kept free from rats and
mice. It also requires that the occupier of any land shall give
notice in writing forthwith to the local authority if it comes to
his knowledge that rats or mice are living on or resorting to
the land in substantial numbers.
Section 4 of the Act empowers the local authority to serve
notice on the owner or occupier of the land requiring him to take
reasonable steps for the destruction of rats or mice on the land or
otherwise keeping the land free from rats or mice. Such notice
may specify the form of treatment to be applied, and may require
the execution of any structural repairs.
It did not become necessary to serve any notices under this
Section of the Act during the year.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries approved the
continuation by the Council of a free rodent control service
for occupiers of private dwelling houses.
The following is a summary of the work carried out by the Rodent Control Staff during 1950 :—
| No. of complaints received | 1,546 |
| No. of inspections | 3,533 |
| No. of operators' calls | 17,554 |
| No. of private premises treated | 1,573 |
| No. of business premises treated | 176 |
| No. of pre-baits laid | 38,644 |
| No. of poison baits laid | 22,194 |
In addition, 584 tests were applied to the drains of infested
premises and positive results were obtained in 120 instances.
Vertical block control treatment of the Council's sewers was
carried out throughout the year and the half-yearly maintenance
treatment in June and November.
Tenants of premises infested with mice were supplied with
poison baits totalling 5,724.
Maternity and Child Welfare.
The personal health services are the responsibility of the
London County Council. The Divisional Medical Officer is
assisted in the day-to-day administration of these services by the
Borough Medical Officer of Health with the permission of the
Local Sanitary Authority.