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
Islington 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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1931]
60
As regards poisons, it had been found in the past that while people reading
the literature that we circulated regarding rats were willing enough to accept
poison free, they demurred to give as much as Is. 6d. for the poison that was
being distributed. An opportunity was taken of introducing tubes of rat poison to
sell at 6d., and it was found—to use a hackneyed phrase—that this met a “felt
want”; a number of these, in the case of poorer persons were distributed free.
The demand for the smaller, and proportionately cheaper, variety of rat poison
has well justified its introduction, and we had to order a further supply. It has
naturally decreased the demand for the dearer quality, of which less was disposed
of.
The Ministry's leaflet was also distributed to enquirers.
Tne Sanitary Inspectors investigated, as a result of the enquiries, an increased
number of cases of rat infestation and advice was given; this year, as in the
previous year, we found that the number of enquirers has increased, as indicated.
The demand for poison also showed an increase.
Summary of Work under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act during the years 1924-31
| 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 | 1930 | 1931 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Streets visited | 91 | 96 | 217 | 235 | 203 | 144 | 166 | 223 |
| Number of Private Houses visited | 176 | 133 | 320 | 368 | 349 | 223 | 387 | 385 |
| Number of Shops and Factories visited | 19 | 14 | 61 | 81 | 56 | 36 | 37 | 48 |
| Total Premises inspected | 195 | 147 | 381 | 449 | 405 | 259 | 424 | 433 |
| Found Rat Infested | 61 | 66 | 174 | 191 | 154 | 101 | 142 | 178 |
| Found Mice Infested | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 |
| Defective Drains Repaired (Cause of Rat trouble) | 60 | 51 | 49 | 48 | 49 | 23 | 45 | 50 |
| Number of Complaints received | 118 | 105 | 173 | 202 | 150 | 124 | 176 | 216 |
MILK AND DAIRIES ORDER, 1926.
Under this Order proceedings were taken against 15 individuals or firms, in
one case there being two summonses. Most of the summonses were for the
despicable practice of filling milk bottles, and as often as not, uncleansed milk
bottles, with milk in the streets. In spite of frequent warnings the habit of doing
this, which is contrary to the law, persists, the individuals taking the risk when
they think they are safe, presuming no Inspector is about. It is obvious such
craftiness in avoiding the law is difficult to detect, and from the number of cases
discovered one must presume that only a very small proportion are found out.
One company (previously convicted in 1929) was fined £20 and ordered to pay
£5 5s. Od. costs for failing to cause a churn to be thoroughly cleansed. The
summon; of course was only taken in respect of one churn. The other summonses
were mainly for carrying on the trade of dairyman or purveyor of milk without
being registered. The complete list of prosecutions will be found on pages 90, 91.
HOUSING.
REPORT BY THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH ON THE
INSPECTION OF CERTAIN PROPERTIES IN THE BOROUGH.
The following properties have been individually examined, and detailed
schedules made of the premises giving the exact particulars of the conditions and
surroundings at the time of inspection.