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 1973
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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DISINFECTION & DISINFESTATION
DISINFECTION
Infectious Disease
Rooms Treated 78
Secondhand clothing, horsehair, bristles etc., for export
Certificates Issued 22
DISINFESTATION
Rats and Mice (figures in brackets refer to the year 1972) Prime Complaints.
| Premises | Domestic | Business | Local Authority | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rats | 302 ( 495) | 117 (171) | 118 (173) | 537(839) |
| Mice | 2154 (2491) | 412 (414) | 112 ( 99) | 2678(3004) |
| Totals | 2456 (2986) | 529 (585) | 230 (272) | 3215(3843) |
56 smoke tests of defective drains were carried out, and there were 3 treatments of sewers.
During the latter part of the year, following a short trial period, a new rodenticide (based on
Calciferol and Warfarin) was introduced as a first choice poison in the treatment of mice infestations.
This, combined with a splendid team effort on the part of the rodent operators, proved very effective
and whilst it is too early to claim outstanding successes it is hoped that there will be substantial
progressive reductions in mice complaints.
Vermin (other than rodents)
Rooms treated 2236
Wasp nests treated 2
N.B. Contractual arrangements were made late in the year for a private pest control firm to
undertake the treatment of wasp nests on behalf of the Council commencing 1974.
PIGEONS:
Thirteen treatments were carried out on the Council's behalf by an authorised catcher during the
year.
33