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
Greenwich 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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Baiting of Sewers.—The Borough Engineer has kindly supplied me with the undermentioned information of the treatments carried out in the Council's sewers in connection with the scheme:—
| Details | Date of Treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| 6th to 22nd Dec., 1949 | 7th to 23rd June, 1949 | |
| 1. No. of Manholes in foul and connected systems | 1,157 | 1,157 |
| 2. Bait base and poison used | Sausage rusk and zinc phosphide | |
| 3. No. of Manholes baited | 1.054 | 976 |
| 4. No. of Manholes showing prebait takes | 573 | 495 |
| 5. No. of Manholes showing complete prebait take (on one or both days) | 346 | 215 |
| 6. Schemes of baiting used (e.g.; consecutive days or 1st, 3rd and 5th days) | Consecutive days | Consecutive days |
| 7. No. of Manholes test-baited in conjunction with this treatment and not included in No. 3 above | — | 28 |
| (or 15% of 181-difference between items No. 1 & No. 3) | ||
It may be mentioned that the neighbouring Boroughs of Woolwich
and Lewisham took action at the same time as Greenwich.
Disinfestation of Verminous premises.-The disinfestation of
verminous premises has been conducted on similar lines to those of
the previous year, a residual vermicide spray containing 5% D.D.T.
being successfully employed in the treatment of furniture, floors and
wall surfaces.
In the course of their duties during the year, the Sanitary
Inspectors dealt with 246 cases of verminous and dirty rooms compared
with the figure of 151 for 1948. In addition, the Disinfestation
Staff sprayed 938 rooms and contents whilst in 29 cases bedding,
etc., was removed to the Council's Disinfecting Station for steam
disinfection.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933.—This Act came into force
on 1st May, 1936, and has for its object closer control of the sale of
poisons and poisonous substances. Under it the Medical Officer of
Health and the Sanitary Inspectors are appointed to carry out the
provisions referred to in Part II of the Poisons List. These chiefly