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
Wandsworth 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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24
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1954
Water Supply—Cutting-off Notices
During the year notices with respect to 501 premises were
received from the Metropolitan Water Board stating that the supply
had been withdrawn.
In 22 premises the water supply was cut off for non-payment of
rates, and in 479 premises because of defects in the service.
Dustbin Accommodation—Section 105, Public Health (London) Act,
1936, and Section 12, London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1954
During the year new legislation was initiated in respect of dustbin
accommodation by the provisions of Section 12 of the London
County Council (General Powers) Act, 1954; with certain provisos,
this section enables the Council to serve a notice on the owner of a
house, requiring him to provide dustbin accommodation where the
existing accommodation is insufficient or unsuitable. Section 105
of the Public Health (London) Act, has been, in consequence,
amended.
Action was taken under the above-mentioned Acts in respect of
116 premises and during this period 117 dustbins were provided.
Dustbins were also provided at 12 premises without the necessity
of action under the Acts.
Rodent Control
Following is a summary of the work of the rodent operatives:
| Number of operatives' visits to premises | 10,568 |
| „ „ of premises prebaited and treated with poison | 405 |
| „ „ of premises treated with "Warfarin" | 692 |
| „ „ premises prebaited and found not troubled | 107 |
| „ „ premises "Warfarin" laid and found not troubled | 119 |
| „ „ premises investigated and found not troubled | 2,122 |
| „ „ prebaits laid | 12,294 |
| „ „ poison baits laid | 8,083 |
| „ „ drains tested by Sanitary Inspector | 288 |
| „ „ drains found defective | 150 |
| „ „ rats estimated killed | 6,924 |
It is interesting to note that in March 1954 two live ship rats
(Rattus Rattus) were trapped in a soil sewer—this is believed to be
the first substantiated case of ship rats gaining entry to a house
through sewers and drains.
At the close of the year there were six rodent operatives and one
clerk engaged on rodent control duties under the supervision of a
Sanitary Inspector.