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 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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Eighteen infestations were found to be caused by defect drains, one by a disused
drain and one by a defective sewer. Five hospitals were inspected by the Rodent Officer
and minor outbreaks were dealt with at three housing estates during the year. Regular
inspection of open sites was carried out but few infestations were discovered. No
infestations by ship rat were recorded.
There was one meeting of the Workable Area Committee in March which was attended
by the Chief Public Health Inspector and the Rodent Officer.
(a) General
The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year:
Note - For the purpose of completing Sections 2, 3, 4 & 7 each property is entered once only in respect of inspections, infestations and treatments.
| Type of Property | Local Authority Premises | Dwelling Houses | Business Premises | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Rodent complaints received (including repeats) | 68 | 1, 386 | 248 | 1,702 |
| 2. Number of properties inspected as a result of (a) Notification (initial complaint only) | 68 | 817 | 213 | 1,098 |
| (b) Block survey | 26 | 217 | 60 | 303 |
| 3. Number of properties found to be infested by rats (including Nil ship rats) | 65 | 331 | 77 | 473 |
| 4. Number of properties found to be infested by mice | 19 | 531 | 103 | 654 |
| 5. Re-visits by Investigators | 172 | 1,920 | 238 | 2,330 |
| 6. Non-effective visits by Investigators | 122 | 122 | ||
| 7. Number of infested properties treated (new jobs commenced) | 76 | 909 | 258 | 1,243 |
| 8. Continuation or post-bait treatment | 378 | 4,985 | 1, 522 | 6,885 |
| 9. Visits by Operators | 738 | 11,289 | 1,875 | 13,902 |
| 10. Still being baited at end of year | 23 | 408 | 94 | 525 |
| 11. Completed during the year | 55 | 701 | 206 | 962 |
| 12. Number of Business Agreements dealt with 119 | ||||
| 13. Members of the Rodent Staff assisted in the operation of the smoke machine in respect of 78 Drainage tests carried out by Public Health Inspectors. | ||||
(b) Sewer Treatments
Three sewer treatments were carried out during the year. The first was in two parts;
one by Finsbury Borough Council using 1080 (sodium fluoracetate) and the other by
Islington Borough Council using 1081 (Fluorakil) which was preceded by a test bait. The
following are the details:-
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