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
Deptford 1927
Annual report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford
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| Applicant's Address. | Husband's Work. | Rooms Occupied. | Number in family and circumstances. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26. Hyde Street | Bricklayer, £4 per week | One room | Man, wife, 2 children under 3 yrs. | Recommended to L CC. |
| 27. Reculver Road | Dock labourer, could pay up to 12s. rent | One room, 1,000 cab. feet | Man, wife, 2 chi1dren under 8 yrs. | Recommended to L C.C. |
| 28. Reculver Road | Works at brewery | One room | Man, wife, 3 children, wife expectant | Recommended to L.C.C. |
| 29. Giffin Street | Builder's labourer, £2 19s. 4d. | One room, 700 cub. feet | Man, wife. 4 children under 12 yrs. | Children sleep on floor as there is only room for 1 bed. Recommended to L.C.C. |
| 30. Church Stree | £3 2s. per week | One room | Man, wife, 2 children under 5 yrs. wife expectant |
THE RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ACT, 1919.
By Inspector Albert E. Yates.
It may be of interest to preface this report with a brief description
of the rat and a few facts and figures as to its life and activities; for
the serious possibilities of rat infestation and the work of rat repression
are often regarded as matters of minor importance.
There are two chief kinds of rats. The black rat, or the common
rat of India, and the brown rat, both species coming from the East.
The black rat is usually found in the neighbourhood of docks and
wharves, brought over in merchandise or escaping from vessels coming
from the East; it is usually a clean feeder.
The brown rat will thrive in any situation, in town or country, and
can be found in fields or gardens, drains or sewers, stables or refuse
dumps, factories, dwelling houses, and in fact in any place that affords
harbourage and a food supply. The brown rat will feed on filth and
garbage as well as on clean food, thus being a dangerous factor to be
dealt with.
The number of rats in this country is difficult to estimate but it
appears to be generally agreed that the rat population of Great Britain
amounts to at least 40,000,000.
Rats multiply at an alarming rate; the female rat becomes a mother
at eight weeks old. The average litter numbers from six to ten and
she may have six litters in the course of a year. It is quite possible
for a single pair of rats to have 800 descendants in twelve months.