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is some indication that the methods employed to exterminate the rats
and prevent infestation of the buildings, had the effect of driving some
of the rats into adjacent buildings in the Royal Borough of Kensington.
Black and grey rats have also been found recently towards the West
end of the Borough; and there is some reason to believe that these species
of rat, which come from Eastern countries, and are much more difficult
to exterminate than the common English Brown or Sewer Bat, are
spreading over London at a fairly rapid rate. During the year about
£16 was spent by the Borough Council on Paste Varnish, and about
£4 on poisons for the destruction of rats, these substances being supplied
gratuitously, where found to be required.
Cleansing Station for Verminous Children, 9a, Lot's-road.
During 1923, this station was open for the entire day on 43 occasions,
and 602 children were cleansed, the average attendance per session being
14 children. The amount recoverable from the London County Council,
as the School Authority, for the cleansing for the year is £60 4s.
Work of the Public Health Department.
The tabular statements prepared by the Sanitary Inspectors show
that 1,033 separate premises were reported on by them during 1923,
402 of this number being with reference to cases of notifiable infectious
disease, and 233 in the course of house to house inspections made in
certain of the poorer streets of the Borough. Legal proceedings for
breach of the Public Health (London) Act, were taken in 22 instances.
During the year 191 premises were disinfected after cases of infectious
disease, and 110 rooms were disinfected which had been in
occupation by persons suffering from Tuberculosis. In addition 77
rooms were disinfected for verminous or filthy conditions.
Five hundred and ninety-five school children were reported by the
school nurses to be in a verminous condition, and 504 visits to homes
were paid in connection with these cases.
Twenty-three cases of Scabies were reported during the year, and
28 visits to homes were paid in connection with these cases.

The woman Sanitary Inspector also paid 75 visits to homes in consequence
of complaints received as to old age pensioners and others
living under neglected and insanitary conditions. She also undertakes
the supervision of the Women's Sanitary Conveniences at the World's
End and in Sydney-street.