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

Battersea 1925

Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1925

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Table: Van Dwellings. The number of van dwellings in the Borough in 1925 was 65. In the following table are set out the situations of the dwellings and number of occupants:—

Van Dwellings. The number of van dwellings in the Borough in 1925 was 65. In the following table are set out the situations of the dwellings and number of occupants:—

Situation of Vans.No. of Vans.No. Occupants.
M.F.
Mill's Yard, adjoining 88 Sheepcote Lane333
Mill's Yard, adjoining 80 Sheepcote Lane466
Manley's Yard, Falcon Road898
Manley's Yard, Cabul Road33†3229
Mill's Yard, Culvert Road17*1518

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During the year 4 vans were found to be overcrowded, and
notices were served to abate the nuisance. Eight vans were
unoccupied.
Rag Flock Act, 1911.
This Act was passed to prevent the use of material known
as rag flock, unless such material complies with the standard of
cleanliness laid down in the Act.
No proceedings were taken under the Act in Battersea during
1925.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
This Act, which became operative on the 1st January, 1920,
imposes on local authorities and occupiers of premises additional
responsibilities in connection with rat repression.

Table: During 1925 the work carried out under the Council's Rat Repression Scheme is summarised as follows :—

During 1925 the work carried out under the Council's Rat Repression Scheme is summarised as follows :—

Premises visited2,155Contracts renewed13
Poison baits used65,800Value of contracts£19700
Dead rats found2,584Cash for poison bait£48194
Total expenditure (financial year 1925-6)£54389
Income (financial year 1925-6)£188190
Net cost£35499

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Drains were tested at 68 premises in connection with this
work, and in 35 cases were found to be defective. Most of these
defective drains were in private houses. As the presence of rats
in houses is usually regarded as prima facie evidence of drain
defects, the work of the Rat Officer therefore is carried on in close
co-operation with that of the district Sanitary Inspectors.
*Including one shed. †Including one cottage.