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I suggest the burning of all refuse in a suitable destructor which may be
in connection with boilers for the raising of steam.
5. Foodstuffs, especially grain, should be stored in buildings which are
rat-proof. The present wooden sheds, viz., No. 141 South side, Victoria Dock
—and also Nos. 4 and 5 Warehouses, Norway Yard, Surrey Commercial
Docks—are examples of unsuitable structures.
6. The Sanitary Conveniences in the Royal Albert and Victoria Docks,
especially on the North side of the Royal Albert Dock, are most unsuitable, and
should be replaced with modern sanitary conveniences. Evidence of rats
burrowing under these structures can be seen at most of them.
This question has been brought to the notice of the Port of London Authority
on several occasions.
In 1910 the Port of London Authority were asked to carry out the following
precautions:—
1. Destroy as many as possible of the rats in the docks ; the same to be
disposed of by burning.
2. Daily search for dead rats ; utilising, if possible, the same men whose
names and addresses were furnished to me, paying special attention to the warehouses,
spaces between, and also the banks.
3. All accumulation of dunnage, rubbish, &c., to be collected and burnt.
4. The disposal of refuse on the banks to be discontinued and a "destructor"
provided.
5. Ingress of rats to buildings should be dealt with by having the floors
laid on concrete, and if the buildings are not constructed of iron, a piece of iron
sheeting should be fitted round the lower part of the building quite close to the
concrete and extending into the ground for at least two feet.
6. The primitive nature of the Sanitary Conveniences was again alluded to,
these being undermined with rat runs.
The following circular has been sent to all shipowners:—
I have again to draw your attention to the possibility of the introduction of
Plague into this country by means of rats suffering from that disease, which
land from vessels coming from or touching at Ports where Plague exists.
Should this disease be introduced into this country, it will mean not only a
serious danger to the Public Health, but will almost certainly cause a serious loss
to shipowners, should foreign countries deem it necessary to impose serious
restrictions on vessels arriving from this country.
I enclose copy of a circular which will continue to be served on the master
of each vessel on arrival at Gravesend from Ports where Plague is believed
to exist either amongst human beings or animals. These precautions must be
adopted directly the vessel is moored, and should be continued during the whole
of the time that the vessel remains in the Port of London.
In addition, measures should be taken to destroy all rats on board vessels
by pumping into the vessels lethal gas at intervals not exceeding six months.
I shall be pleased to furnish further particulars as to this if desired.