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 1956
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1956
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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repealed.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 offence 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 Borough. Details of work carried out in this connection during the year are as follows:-
| 1. Treatment of Business and Private Premises. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Premises | Private Premises | ||
| Number of visits made | 2,972 | 684 | |
| Number of infestations found | 38 | 255 | |
| Number of treatments undertaken | 31 | 246 | |
| Number of pre-baits laid | 1,862 | ||
| Number of poison baits laid | 586 | ||
| Number of complaints received | 313 | ||
| 2. Sewer Maintenance Treatments. | |||
| No. of pre-laid baits laid | Number of poison baits laid | Estimated kill | |
| No. 1 Treatment | 980 | 363 | 2,760 |
| No. 2 Treatment | 860 | 325 | 2,315 |