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 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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52
One property was the subject of complaint over a considerable period. Drain tests
were carried out and minor defects remedied, but still the infestation persisted. The
tenants moved from the basement of this address and it was then possible to expose a
portion of the combined drain when it was found that an open branch drain existed which
did not take any drainage from this or any other premises. A smoke test revealed that this
was the obvious source of the infestation and upon this drain being disconnected, no evidence
of rat infestation has since been observed
Upon a spot inspection being made by the Chief Public Health Inspector in company with
the Inspector for bakehouses of a basement bakehouse in the Borough, it was found that there
was a heavy infestation of mice, and a considerable number of droppings were seen under the
tables, on racks, on some of the trays and on quantities of food exposed in the flour store.
Action was taken under Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949 for failure
to give notice of the infestation. The result of this case is reported at the end of this
Section.
(a) General
The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year -
| Type of Property | Local Authori ty Premises | Dwelling Houses | Business Premises | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Complaints received (including repeats) | 27 | 1123 | 173 | 1323 |
| 2. Number of properties inspected as a result of (a) Notification (initial complaint only) | (a) 27 | 956 | 161 | 1144 |
| (b) Block survey | *(b)279 | 474 | 62 | 815 |
| 3. Number of properties found to be infested by rats (including NIL ship rats) | 16 | 473 | 65 | 554 |
| 4. Number of properties found to be infested by mice | 5 | 404 | 40 | 449 |
| 5. Re-visits by Investigators | *1176 | 3065 | 56 | 4297 |
| 6. Non-effective visits by Investigators | Nil | 864 | 3 | 867 |
| 7. Number of infested properties treated (new jobs commenced) | *573 | 1016 | 89 | 1678 |
| 8. Continuation or post-bait treatment | *1924 | 2662 | 349 | 4935 |
| 9. Visits by Operators | *3776 | 10807 | 733 | 15316 |
| 10. Still being baited at end of year | Nil | 15 | 1 | 16 |
| 11. Completed during the year | *1412 | 1402 | 129 | 2943 |
| 12. Number of Business Agreements dealt with 77 | ||||
| 13. Members of the Rodent Staff assisted in the operation of the smoke machine in respect of 111 drainage tests carried out by Public Health Inspector. | ||||
* Includes seven maintenance treatments Nos. 31 and 32 (1664 manholes)
NOTE: For the purpose of completing Section 2, 3, 4 & 7, each property is entered once only in respect
of inspections, infestations and treatments.