Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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16
On two occasions during the year all the sewers in the
borough were dealt with poison bait, and it was estimated that
in the first treatment 4,515 rats were destroyed; and in the
second 3,430 rats were killed.
Sewer-baiting is usually carried out in January and June
each year, and steps are taken to ensure that this work coincides
with similar treatments carried out by neighbouring boroughs.
Public Mortuary
The number of bodies taken to the mortuary during the
year was 512. The number of postmortem examinations was
429 and inquests were held in 76 cases.
Destruction of Pigeons
In order to deal with the nuisance and damage occasioned
by the activities of wild pigeons, the Council have for many
years authorised a pigeon-catcher to catch pigeons on the
highway. He is provided, when necessary, with suitable pigeon
food for bait, and complaints of nuisance caused by pigeons are
passed to him for investigation.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act. 1933
At the end of the year the number of sellers of Part II
Poisons (other than registered pharmacists) on the list
maintained by the Council was one hundred and thirty-two. Of
this number, two were new registrations during the year.
Rag Flock and other Filling Materials Act. 1951
This Act regulates the use of clean filling materials in
upholstered articles and other articles which are stuffed or
lined.
This sewer-baiting has been going on for some years and the figures of the estimated destruction of rats for the past five years are as follows:-
Year | Estimated number of rats killed | |
---|---|---|
First treatment | Second treatment | |
1951 | 7,572 | 4,637 |
1952 | 5,982 | 4,133 |
1953 | 5,458 | 4,312 |
1954 | 4,142 | 4,667 |
1955 | 4,515 | 3,430 |
The rodent staff deal with infestations from pests other than rats and mice, and the following is a summary of all action taken during the year:-
Complaints investigated | 1,186 |
Premises inspected following complaints | 1,243 |
Premises where rats were found | 300 |
Premises where mice were found | 617 |
Premises where other vermin were found | 148 |
Premises where no infestation existed | 178 |
Number of visits made | 7,884 |
Number of notices served | 25 |
Premises successfully treated | 1,109 |
Cases in which advice only was given | 81 |
Borough Council properties dealt with | 90 |