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
Chelsea 1954
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1954
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- 36 -
RODENT CONTROL
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, which became operative on
31st March, 1950, is more advantageous to a local authority in dealing with
rodents than the Rats and Mice Destruction. Act, 1919. which has been repealed.
The new Act empowers a local authority to take all practicable measures to
rid its area of rats and mice. Under the provisions of the Rats and Mice
Destruction Act, 1919, the primary duty for the eradication of these particular
pests rested upon the individual occupier. With the advent of this new
legislation, an occupier is guilty of an offense if he fails to destroy rodents,
or use his best endeavours to prevent infestation.
There has always been co-operative action between owners, occupiers and
the local authority in this Barough.
Details of work carried out in this connection during the year are as follows
| 1- Treatment of Bisiness and Private Premises. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| BusinessPresses | Private Premises | ||
| Number of visits made | 475 | 2,389 | |
| Number of infestations found | 39 | 290 | |
| Number of treatments undertaken | 33 | 263 | |
| Number of pre-baits laid | 1,759 | ||
| Number of poison baits laid | 577 | ||
| Number of complaints received | 341 | ||
| 2. Sewer Maintenance Treatments. | |||
| No. of pre-baits laid | No. of poisan baits laid | Estimated kill | |
| No. 1 Treatmant | 960 | 342 | 2,075 |
| No. 2 Treatment | 754 | 336 | 2,546 |