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
Camberwell 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.
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wearing of rubber boots and gloves which are washed with disinfectant
before being removed, and the disinfection of cuts and
abrasions.
Two cases of lymphocytic choriomeningitis, one in an adult
and one in a child have come to the knowledge of the Health
Department within the last two years. The source of infection
was a virus found in a house mouse. Transmission from the
mouse to man is usually through food or dust contaminated by
secretions from the mouth, nose, urine or faeces of the rodent.
As this disease is identifiable only by laboratory methods, there
is reason to believe that lymphocytic choriomeningitis is more
common than the number of recognised cases indicates. The
homes of the two Camberwell cases and adjoining houses in the
same block were investigated for the presence of mice. Disinfestation
treatment was carried out and continued until there
was no possibility of infected mice remaining.
The work of this important branch of Public Health is
carried out by a staff consisting of a Rodent Officer and Sanitary
Inspector, one Rodent Investigator, seven Rodent Operators,
one Bait Preparer and a Rodent Control Clerk.
A grant of 50 per cent, of the approved net expenditure is
made to the Council by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,
subject to their approval of the Rodent Control organisation set
up by the Council. Expenditure on the treatment of infestations
at commercial or industrial premises is recovered from the
occupiers.
The following is a summary of the work carried out daring the years 1949, 1950 and 1951:—
| 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of complaints received | 1,617 | 1,546 | 1,383 |
| No. of inspections | 4,119 | 3,533 | 2,709 |
| No. of operators' calls | 18,427 | 17,554 | 20,257 |
| No. of private premises baited | 1,661 | 1,573 | 1,427 |
| No. of business premises baited | 188 | 176 | 216 |
| No. of pre-baits laid | 39,786 | 38,644 | 49,898 |
| No. of poison baits laid | 23,700 | 22,194 | 23,886 |
The number of complaints and premises treated in 1951 was
less than in 1949 and 1950. This was no doubt due to the
employment of an additional rodent operator which enabled
“follow-up” treatments to be carried out promptly, thus controlling
the spread of infestation. It will be noted that there was
a considerable increase in the number of baits laid.
In the months of June and December all the sewers in the
Borough were treated. This was in addition to the systematic
treatment of sewer manholes which is carried out in blocks weekly
throughout the year.