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trouble is not due to defective drains, the methods usually adopted are
the laying of various poison baits, rat varnishes, trapping, and periodical
visits of professional rat catchers. Steps are also taken to render
premises as rat proof as possible, by cutting off all means of ingress,
destroying harbourage, food and water supplies.
Owing to the damage done to property and stock by rats, occupiers
and owners are very anxious to help in eliminating the rat menace, and
it is only by constant and methodical efforts that this can be achieved.
The Borough Surveyor has kindly given me his report to the Works
Committee on the steps taken during National Rat Week, as follows:—
Report to Works Committee, 17th November. 1926.
National Rat Week— 1st-6th November.
As instructed by the Committee, I duly purchased from Messrs.
Evans Sons, Lescher & Webb, Ltd., 6 half-gallon bottles of
"Liverpool Virus" at a cost of £8 19s. 6d.
This poison was mixed with a quantity of oats and a small
quantity of aniseed, and placed in 76 side entrances leading to
brick sewers and 30 manholes on pipe sewers.
After an elapse of eight days an inspection was made of the
side entrances and manholes where the poison was placed and it
was discovered that all the poison had disappeared and that over
a dozen rats were found lying dead. In view of the fact that
"Liverpool Virus" is well known to be a most effective destroyer
of rats, there is no doubt that the poison having been eaten by the
rats, a considerable number were washed away by the water in
the sewers.
I might add that I have received a telephonic communication
from the London County Council, Chief Engineer's Department,
to the effect that during the Rat Week they laid 1,060 baits, out of
which 506 were eaten by rats, which the London County Council
consider to be very satisfactory.
H. Morley Lawson,
Borough Surveyor.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
Charles S. Thomson,
Medical Officer of Health.