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 Holborn Borough]
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20
The question might be thought worthy of consideration whether it would be
advisable and useful if statutory obligation were placed on all persons carrying
out rat repression work to notify the presence of rats to the local authority. In
the absence of a statutory obligation to do so, it would be unreasonable to expect
the contracting firm to notify, as strong objection to such action might be taken
by occupiers. On the other hand, knowledge of the presence of rats in a particular
building might enable the local authority to initiate concerted action by owners of
other property in an infested block and so enhance the prospect of dealing effectually
with the pest. The firms who undertake rat repression work in the Borough
under the arrangements made by the Council have agreed to furnish information
of all their work in the Borough.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919. Summary of conditions found on inspections, action taken and results obtained.
WARD. | Number of premises inspected. | Number rat infested. | Action for Rat Repression. | RESULT. | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Traps. | Poisons. | Rat catchers. | Dogs. | Cats. | Proofing | ||||
A. | 12 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | Free 8 |
B. | 19 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | Free 19 |
C. | 23 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | Free 6 Rats occasionally seen 1 |
D. | 29 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | Free 26 |
F. | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | Free 2 Numbers reduced 1 |
F. | 52 | 20 | 3 | 9 | 2 | — | 16 | Free 13 Numbers reduced 7 | |
G. | 17 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 5 | Free 5 Rats occasionally seen 1 | |
H. | 59 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 2 | Free 15 Rats occasionally seen 2 | |
I. | 22 | 7 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | Free 5 Rats occasionally seen 2 | |
239 | 113 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 9 | 81 | Free 99 Numbers reduced 8 Rats only occasionally seen 6 |