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
Kensington 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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On two occasions all the sewers in the borough were
dealt with by poison bait, and it was estimated that in the
first treatment 7,572 rats were destroyed; and in the second
4.,637 rats were killed.
Sewer baiting was carried out in co-operation with
contiguous Local Authorities.
The rodent staff deal with infestations from pests other than rats and mice, and the following is a summary of all action taken during the year:-
| Complaints investigated | 1,181 |
| Premises inspected following complaints | 1,387 |
| Premises where rats were found | 384 |
| Premises where mice were found | 635 |
| Premises where other vermin were found | 133 |
| Premises where no infestation existed | 235 |
| Number of visits made | 8,024 |
| Number of notices served | 59 |
| Premises successfully treated | 1,082 |
| Cases in which advice only was given | 78 |
| Borough Council properties dealt with | 92 |
Public Mortuary
The number of bodies taken to the mortuary during the
year was 505. Inquests were held in 86 cases.
Destruction of Pigeons
A considerable amount of nuisance and damage is
occasioned by the activities of wild pigeons. The Council
have authorised a pigeon-catcher to catch pigeons on the
high-way and provide him with the pigeon food used as bait.
Twenty-five complaints of nuisance caused by pigeons were
passed to him and, as a result of his action, 500 birds
were caught and destroyed during the year. Better results
would have been obtained but for the opposition of some
members of the public. For example, one old lady not only
disturbed the pigeons so that they could not be caught, but
actually assaulted the pigeon catcher.
If the wild pigeon population of the borough is to
be reduced, it is essential that the work of the pigeon
catcher should not be made more difficult by the action of
private persons.
Welfare of Old People
The Council have decided to take responsibility, within
their powers, for co-ordinating, and assisting in the extension
of, activities for aged persons and to alleviate unsatisfactory
conditions under which many old people are living.
Co-operation with voluntary bodies interested in the
welfare of old people is effected wherever possible. In order
that action taken shall be uniform, the Kensington Old
People's Welfare Voluntary Committee act as an intermediary
between the Council and the voluntary bodies. Four members
of the Public Health Committee are nominated to serve on the
Kensington Old People's Welfare Voluntary Committee which acts
as a co-ordinating non-executive Committee through which
voluntary bodies claim assistance from the Council and through
which the Council pass requests for executive action. Any
financial aid which the Council grant is given direct to the
voluntary organisation concerned.