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Rat. This rat is much more difficult to exterminate than the common
English Brown Rat, as it is a great climber, and nests in roofs and other
inaccessible places, whereas the Brown Rat dwells in sewers, drains, and
underground burrows, and does not usually invade floors higher than
basement level. Preliminary notices of liability under the Act were
served upon the occupiers of infested premises in September, 1922, and
in November, 1922, notices were served upon the occupiers to take such
steps as may from time to time be necessary and reasonably practicable
for the destruction of rats on their premises, and for preventing such
premises from becoming infested with rats.
A further inspection by Mr. Claremont in February, 1923, showed
that the infestation at that date was much less general than in the summer
of 1922, although it was evident that complete extermination had not
been effected. The matter is still under the consideration of the Public
Health Committee.
Cleansing Sta tion for Verminous Children.
There being no proper cleansing station in Chelsea for cleansing the
heads of verminous school children, the London County Council had
made arrangements for children attending schools in the Eastern portion
of the Borough to have their heads cleansed at the Westminster Cleansing
Station, Chelsea Bridge, whilst those attending schools in the Western
portion of the Borough were provided for at the L.C.C. Station in Seddlescombe-road,
Fulham. The Public Health Committee considered that the
rooms at the Shelter, Disinfecting Station, Lots-road, could be adapted
and used for the purposes of a Cleansing Station, and that such a station
would be more convenient for children in the Western portion of the
Borough than the L.C.C. Station in Fulham.
An arrangement was accordingly arrived at with the London County
Council, by which a cleansing station should be formed at Lots-road,
which should be used by children attending schools situated West of a
line running down the centre of Sydney-street and Oakley-street. The
station was to be adapted and fitted up by the Borough Council, who
should also provide a cleansing attendant. The L.C.C. were to make all
arrangements for the attendances of the children, and to supervise the
work of cleansing by their school nurses.
The cleansing station was fitted up with the necessary appliances
at a cost of £26, and a woman was engaged as cleansing attendant at
wages of 8s. per day for an 8-hour day once a week, and 1s. an hour for
overtime for washing up, when necessary. The station was opened on
the 27th October, 1922, and 8 sessions were held weekly between that
date and the Christinas school holidays, when the station was closed for
the vacation. Altogether 98 children attended at the 8 sessions, or an
average of 12 per session. The Borough Council receive payment from
the London County Council at the rate of 2s. per child attendance—the
total sum received for the 98 children being £9 16s.
Work of the Public Health Department.
The tabular statements prepared by the Sanitary Inspectors show
that 1,014 separate premises were reported on by them during 1922,
423 of this number being with reference to cases of notifiable infectious
disease, and 291 in the course of house to house inspections made in