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 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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83
Rag and Bone Dealers.
Five offences against that part of the bye-laws of the London
County Council which prohibits the giving of toys in exchange for
rags, &c., were reported during 1935, the offenders in each case
being itinerant traders. Three cases were dealt with by cautionary
letter, and legal proceedings were ordered in the two remaining
cases, but in one of these a false name and address had been given
and the trader could not be traced. The result of the proceedings
in the other case is shown on page 73.
Rag Flock Acts, 1911 and 1928.
These Acts were 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 these Acts in Battersea
during 1935.
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
resDonsibilities in connection with rat repression.
The work carried out during 1935 under the Council's Rat Repression Scheme is summarised as follows:—
| Premises visited | 1,978 | Contracts made or renewed | 8 | ||
| Poison baits used | 14,800 | ||||
| Dead rats found | 1,300 | Value of contracts | £123 | 0 | 0 |
| Cash for poison bait, &C. | £6 | 8 | 0 | ||
| Total expenditure (financial year 1935-36) | £498 | 13 | 7 | ||
| Income (financial year 1935-36) | £128 | 1 | 6 | ||
Drains were tested at 94 premises in connection with this
work, and in 79 cases defects of more or less serious character
were found. 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.
As in previous years an intensive effort for the repression of
rats was organised during "Rat Week" (3rd to 9th November).
Bait was laid in the sewers, and was supplied to all applicants
during the week free of charge. The co-operation of the public
was invited by posters and advertisements. The results were good,
considerable numbers of rats being found dead.
Destruction of Pigeons.
By Section 52 of the London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1927, the Council have power to destroy doves or pigeons
congregating in such numbers as to cause nuisance, annoyance or
damage, subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act.