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Verminous Conditions.
The procedure adopted to improve the general standard of cleanliness
and habits, and to combat infestation by lice, etc., has
continued on the lines indicated in Circular 2831. In addition to
the five Health Visitors, whose duty in the six Welfare Centres and
in the homes of the people includes general Instruction, two women
(one a qualified Sanitary Inspector) are employed In work of this
nature.
Actual cleansings and disinfestations are carried out at two
Stations: in the main, school-children are dealt with ar blackwall
Lane, East Greenwich, under arrangements (usual in Metropolitan
Boroughs) with the London County Council and in co-operation with
the members of their School Nurses Staff. The second Station,at
the Seamen's Hospital, provided accommodation for men, women, and
young children p chiefly for Scabies treatment, but also for dealing,
In the case of the latter, with other verminous conditions.
Owing tc the child evacuation scheme, there was a marked falling
off in the number of attendances.
It can be safely assumed that the eradication of vermin in
the Borough is carried out by the most modern methods and in accordance
with Memo 230.A/MED.1943.

Rat Repression.
Rat Infestation in Greenwich can be classified as mainly
"Minor infestations" and arise chiefly through the keeping of
chickens and rabbits„ It is possible that the source of most of
the Infestations is defective drains, and disturbances caused
through the bomb raids. These defects are not always easily traceable
and entail much investigation.
At the moment a part-time Rat-catcher is engaged at the rate
of 3/- per hour as often as his services are required. Where
infestations occur in chicken-runs or beneath sheds, dogs and
ferrets are used. In other cases trapping and poisoning are
resorted to.
No.of complaints received 216
No.of premises found to be infested 264
No.of premises inspected 349
No. of premises re-visited 525
In accordance with the directions of the Infestation Order,
1943, special attention is given by the Engineer's Department
to the baiting and inspection of the Council's sewers. The
following figures show the result of such action:-
December,
1943.1944.
No.of manholes baited 765 583
Estimated member of rats killed;, as per
Ministry of Food's mothod of calculation 4587 1785
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