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 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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51
During the current year the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries have been experimenting with a new type of bait called
"Warfarin" containing an anti-coagulant chemical "Hydroxycoumarin."
It is claimed that the new bait is undetectable by rats
and as such does not give rise to 'poison prejudice." "Warfarin"
has to be taken by rodents over a period and although the effects
are slow they are inevitably fatal, even in the very low concentrations
in which it is used. This low concentration makes the preparation
relatively safe for humans and domestic animals. It is expected
that "Warfarin" will become generally available in the early part
of 1952.
| Details | Date of Treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd to 21st Dec., 1951 | 4th to 22nd June, 1951 | |
| 1. No. of Manholes in foul and connected systems | 1,165 | 1,165 |
| 2. Bait base and poison used | Sausage rusk and zinc phosphide | |
| 3. No. of Manholes baited | 1,165 | 1,165 |
| 4. No. of Manholes showing prebait takes | 542 | 509 |
| 5. No. of Manholes showing complete prebait take (on one or both days) | 347 | 368 |
| 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 | Nil | Nil |
It may be mentioned that the neighbouring Boroughs of Woolwich
and Lewisham took action at the same time as Greenwich.
Anti-Fly and Anti-Mosquito Campaign.—During the
summer period, April to September, the campaign was continued
on similar lines to those of previous years, 4 men with the use of 2
motor-cycles and sidecars being employed in this important preventive
aspect of the Department's work.
The major factors to be controlled include house refuse, static
water sites, ponds, ditches, cafes and food shops generally.