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
Hammersmith 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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Infestations discovered, other than by complaint, continue
to show a steady decrease, falling from 101 last year to 66 this
year. I attribute this to the fact that members of the public
are becoming more "Rodent conscious", particularly in the matter
of leaving food about as an attraction to rodents, due to the
propaganda of recent years.
Three "Block, control" areas were inspected, treated and
cleared of infestation.
The sewers were treated with poisen baits twice during the
year and good results were obtained.
Defective drains were again the largest individual cause of
rat problems, 115 drains were found to be defective and repaired.
Sane of these drains were responsible for widespread infestations.
Approximately £92 was received during the year for treatment
at business premises.
The following is a summary of the work for the year, with comparable figures for 1954 in parenthesis.
| Premises inspected:- | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dwellings 750(725); Business 1,231(1,251) | 1,981(1976) | |
| Complaints: - | ||
| Rats 442(404); Mice 155(213) | 597 (617) | |
| "Discovered" other than by complaint: - | ||
| Dwellings 45(68); Business 21(33) | 66 (101) | |
| Premises infested by rats:- | ||
| Dwellings 321(284); Business 61(47) | 382 (331) | |
| Premises infested by mice:- | ||
| Dwellings 156 (180); Business 20 (24) | 176 (204) | |
| Premises treated for infestation by Council staff | 553 (535) | |
| Major infestations | 27 (19) | |
| Notices served relating to Rodent control | 92 (91) | |
| Inspections and re-inspections by sanitary Inspectors re Rodent control | 2,941 (3,333) | |