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 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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46
There is no record of any ship rats in the Borough during the year under review.
Quarterly inspections continued to be carried out at the Archway Group of Hospitals
Three meetings of the Workable Area Committee No. 1 were held of which the Chief
Public Health Inspector is Chairman. By special invitation the Chief Public Health
Inspector and Rodent Officer attended one meeting of the Workable Area Committee No.3.,
held in the City Guildhall.
With the approval of the Council, six Operators attended a one day Refresher Course
given under the direction of the Minister qf Agriculture, Fisheries and Pood.
Some municipal Housing Estates have caused difficulties during the year with infesta
tions which, after treatment^have recurred at a later date.
There were also other cases which were concluded only after much difficulty, In one
instance a very heavy infestation of mice was found to be coming from under the concrete
of an adjacent dust chute. Upon opening up the concrete and proofing all means of access
to the dwelling the infestation was cleared.
On another occasion a heavy infestation of rats was traced to a defective main drain,
serving a large block of flats. The defective drain was also found to be the cause of
another infestation in the grounds of a similar block of flats some distance away. This
matter received the attention of the Department and the owners agreed to re-lay all
defective drains serving these buildings.
The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year:•
Notices Served Intimations 3
Statutory
| Type of Property | Local Authori ty Premi ses | Dwelling Houses | Bu s i n e s s Premises | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Complaints received (including repeats) | 34 | 1,126 | 157 | 1,317 |
| 2. Number of properties inspected as a result of | ||||
| (a) Notification (initial complaint only) | (a) 24 | 964 | 148 | 1,136 |
| (b) Block Survey | (b) 85 | 488 | 71 | 644 |
| 3. Number of properties found to be infested by rats (including Nil ship rats) | 18 | 501 | 72 | 591 |
| 4. Number of properties found to be infested by mice | 4 | 435 | 49 | 488 |
| 5. Re visits by Investigators | 255 | 3,088 | 71 | 3,414 |
| 6. Non-effective visits by Investigators. | - | 952 | 38 | 990 |
| 7. Number of infested properties treated (new jobs commenced) | 20 | 965 | 103 | 1,088 |
| 8. Continuation or po3t-bait treatment | 40 | 2,696 | 381 | 3,117 |
| 9. Visits by Operators | 135 | 10,813 | 654 | 11,602 |
| 10. Still being baited at end of year | - | 58 | 5 | 63 |
| 11. Completed during the year | 25 | 1,353 | 127 | 1,505 |
| 12. Number of Business Agreements dealt with 68. | ||||
| 13. Members of the Rodent Staff assisted in the application of smoke machine in respect of 101 drainage tests carried out by Public Health Inspectors. | ||||
NOTE:: For ttae purpose of conpletlng Sections 8, 3, 4 & 7, each property is entered once only
in respect of Inspections, infestations and treatments.