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
Sutton and Cheam 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton and Cheam]
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Eleven school canteen kitchens and seven hospital kitchens
were sprayed for files, ants and moths.
The insecticides used were Pybuthrin, D.D.T. residual and
municipal spray, Gammexane Liquid Spray, Zaldlclde M. Powder and
Fumex Fumlgators.
RODENT CONTROL
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1919
A - Surface Treatments
(1) 4,736 visits were made during the year by the Rodent
Operator and 484 by the Public Health Inspectors to premises
infested or possibly harbouring rats or mice
454 premises were cleared of rats or mice and no major
infestations were recorded,,
(2) The work for the year is generally summarised as under: -
Complaints received or cases discovered and investigated 495
Number of premises found to be infested 466
Number of premises where no evidence of rodents found 29
Number of premises cleared of rats or mice (including
81 previous year's cases) 454
Number of premises still being treated at the year end . 93
(3) The cause or site of infestation at the 466 infested premises was:-
| Keeplng of poultry | 18 |
| Inside premises (under floors etc.) - rats | 20 |
| Inside premises (under floors etc.) - mice | 50 |
| Buries, scrapes etc. in gardens, land etc | 228 |
| Under or inside sheds | 161 |
| Defective drains | 4 |
| TOTAL | 481 |
(4) Type of premises found to be infested:-
| With Rats | With Mice | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council Property | 12 | 2 | 14 |
| Dwellinghouses | 348 | 19 | 367 |
| Business Premises, etc. | 32 | 27 | 59 |
| Schools, Hospitals, Canteens etc. | 7 | 18 | 25 |
| Land | 1 | — | 1 |
| TOTAL | 400 | 66 | 466 |