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accounted for a large proportion of the complaints received. It has also
been more desirable than ever to keep a close watch on the quality of
the food supplied to the public. These varying demands, together with
regular Civil Defence duties, have kept the Chief Sanitary Inspector
especially very fully occupied.
The staff of the Sanitary Inspector's Department has, of course,
been depleted during these years and is still slightly less than its pre-war
complement. It is anticipated, however, that as the practicability of
constructive work increases so the staff will be correspondingly enlarged.
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
The methods used for the eradication of bed bugs, which had proved
successful before the war, have not been varied and the work is still
carried out by the Local Authority.

Fumigation was carried out by sulphur candles and spraying by
"Vermicine" Insecticide.
If it is considered desirable the homes of applicants for Council
houses are inspected with a view to obtaining some knowledge of their
suitability as tenants, and if the houses and furniture are found to be
infested, steps are taken, as indicated above, before entry is permitted.
It was not found necessary to disinfest any bedding by steam during
1945.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
In the years preceding the war the Sanitary Inspector and his
Assistants attempted to effect the destruction of vermin, chiefly by giving
householders advice and encouragement. With the inauguration of the
Rat Campaign by the Ministry of Food in 1943 these efforts were intensified, and