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 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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55
In Technical Circular No. 8 of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Pood,
investigation into sewer rat harbourage and building works was considered. It is in
the building and re-construction of drains and sewers and during demolition that most
sewer rat harbourage is created. This may be prevented by strict supervision of such
work to ensure that a suitable standard is reached. In particular, disused house
drains should be filled with concrete right up to the sewer or, better still, they
should be grubbed-up and the sewer connection sealed. It is of increasing importance
to-day when progress is being made in clearing sewers of rats, not merely to avoid
creating new harbourage but to prevent rats from entering sewers.
The Animals (Cruel Poisons) Regulations, 1963 which came into force in October
prohibits inter alia the destruction of rodents by the use of phosphorus, red squill
and strychnine.
(a) The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year..
| Type of Property | Local Au tho ri ty Premises | Dwelling Houses | Business Premises | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Complaints received (including repeats) | 26 | 1016 | 156 | 1198 |
| 2. Number of properties inspected as a result of (a) Notification | 25 | 843 | 137 | 1005 |
| (initial complaint only) (b) Block survey | 20 | 575 | 77 | 672 |
| 3. Number of properties found to be infested by rats (including Nil ship rats) | 17 | 469 | 51 | 537 |
| 4. Number of properties found to be infested by mice | 7 | 528 | 65 | 600 |
| 5. Re-visits by Investigators | 71 | 3414 | 47 | 3532 |
| 6. Non-effective visits by Investigators | 7 | 806 | 45 | 858 |
| 7. Number of infested properties treated (new jobs commenced) | 38 | 958 | 103 | 1099 |
| 8. Continuation or post-bait treatment | 128 | 3338 | 47 3 | 3939 |
| 9. Visits by Operators | 213 | 10731 | 662 | 11606 |
| 10. Still being baited at end of | 2 | 67 | 9 | 78 |
| 11. Completed during the | 45 | 1261 | 122 | 1428 |
| 12. Number of Business Agreements dealt with 61 | ||||
| 13. Members of the Rodent Staff assisted in the operation of the smoke machine in respect of 144 drainage tests carried out Dy Sanitary Inspectors. | ||||
NOTE: For the purpose of completing Sections 2,3,4 & 7, each property is entered once
only in respect of inspections, infestations and treatments.