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"The response to this demonstration has been such that we have a large number of
requests to begin on other ships among which are many of the finest vessels afloat."
A rat-proof ship is one where it is impossible, or difficult, for a rat to hide, nest or move
about in search of food. On such a ship rats gaining entry will breed with difficulty and be
exposed to acute rivalry and thus decrease and even disappear.
The tendency of modern ship building is towards rat-proof construction and the specifications
in the article are recommended. Contracts for new construction or structural repair
should include the words "all work to be rat-proof."
Correction of defects in existing ships must be under some one thoroughly trained in this
line of work.
Prime necessities for rat-life are (1) Food and Drink; (2) Hiding and Nesting places.
Therefore the principles of rat-proofing are (1) To separate home and food; (2) Prevent
travelling from one to other; (3) Deprive the rats of either or both of the prime necessities.
The methods are (1) Food stuffs to be kept in rat-proof containers, within rooms devoid
of rat harbourage and into which rats cannot come from without; (2) To abolish small
enclosed spaces or block them off with material which cannot be gnawed; (3) To screen
large openings. Have doors and windows which fit. Permanently screen or close all small
openings.
Cost of rat-proofing is comparatively small. At the New York Quarantine Station,
where rat-proofing operations are undertaken, a survey is made, the defects are listed item
by item and corrected by carpenters and ironworkers under daily inspection and detailed
instruction. Only items in the holds need interfere with the routine work on the ship; these
have to be corrected in port.
Rat-proofing of ships in New York is in actual operation. Sheet metal is used for collars
about pipes where these pass through any partition, for lining bins and in strips for pipe
casings. Light or heavy wire screening stop or break up larger spaces.
The Specification for work to be done is fully detailed for every part of the ships.
The authors make a point of the necessity for providing a sufficient number of screened
containers of a folding type against stowage when not in use, for garbage and edible refuse
while in port.
As administrative details:—
(1) All loose food supplies are to be placed under rat-proof covers, and scraps and
garbage collected.
(2) Crews are not to mess in sleeping quarters.
(3) Food lockers in crew's quarters to be abolished.
Commenting on Specifications, the authors show that wooden and closed pipe casings are
objectionable and, if retained, must be rat-proofed, and have doors fitted to them.
Limber and flooring boards should be kept in good order and openings under "screen
bulk-heads," where they pass from one compartment to another, should be rat screened.
Fore-peaks store too much gear and junk, they are difficult to fumigate and more difficult
to rid of fumigant. They should be used for tanks not trash.
[It would be difficult to over-estimate the importance of the closely detailed specification
of materials and necessities for each part of a ship to all persons interested in the rat problem
on ships. The article contains a possible, even a probable, solution of the question of shipborne
rat plague as also of repeated disinfestation of ships in prevention thereof. It commends
itself to both Sanitarian and Ship Owner; disinfestation for rats would be rendered unnecessary
in the main and effective if found necessary.
A rat "proofed in" dies. A rat "proofed out" is kept in the open and so circumscribed
in his movements that he can be killed. Proofing is not a mere counsel of perfection but
and effective practical measure.]
This excerpt, together with a reference of the full article, has been brought
to the notice of every Shipping Company using the Port of London.
(Reproduced by permission from the Bulletin of Hygiene.)

* Includes repeated Inspections.
TABLE XXXI.—Form B.
(See Tables XXV. and XXVII.)