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
Fulham 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham Borough]
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41
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949
RODENT CONTROL
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949 RODENT CONTROL The following is a summary of the work carried out by the Rodent Operatives during the year:-
| Type of Property | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Authority | Dwelling Houses | Business and Industrial Premises | ||
| 1. No. of complaints received | 1 | 617 | 148 | 766 |
| 2. No. of properties inspected | 1 | 1,008 | 770 | 1,779 |
| 3. No. of properties found to be infested with rats: | ||||
| Major | – | – | – | |
| Minor | – | 393 | 94 | 487 |
| 4. No. of properties found to be infested with mice | 1 | 265 | 67 | 333 |
| 5. No. of properties treated: | ||||
| (a) Rats | – | 393 | 94 | 487 |
| (b) Mice | 1 | 265 | 67 | 333 |
| 6. No. of notices served under Section 4: | ||||
| (a) Treatment | – | – | – | – |
| (b) Structural works, i.e. proofing | – | – | – | – |
| No. of Notices served under the Public Health (London) Act. 1936 | – | – | – | – |
| 7. No. of visits made by Rodent Operatives | 5 | 6,555 | 1,304 | 7,864 |
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
During 1956 atmospheric pollution measurement stations continued to be maintained at
Shell Wharf and at Messrs. Reckitt & Colman. A third station was added in the curtilage
of Messrs. Manbre & Garton. The facilities granted by the three managements for siting
these instruments is much appreciated. These sites were chosen after consultation with
experts from the Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research, and being situated in or very near to the largest clusters of solid fuel
burning industries in the Borough, the analytical results must be judged accordingly.
Making every sort of allowance however the overall figures appear much too high and
compare unfavourably with the London average. The somewhat startling variations from
month to month sometimes reflect plant breakdowns, but more generally can be attributed
to changes in wind directions. The attention of all concerned was drawn in cases where
sharp increases took place. Careful investigations were made and managements and
technicians showed every desire to co-operate in bringing about improvements.
Starting in October a further lead peroxide instrument was installed at Fulham Baths
for the sole purpose of providing an efficient check to new apparatus being installed in
the near future.