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
Lambeth 1964
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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| The following is a summary of the work carried out by the staff of the Wan-ess Road Disinfecting Station | |
| Number of premises sprayed in which cases of Infectious Disease have occurred | 121 |
| Number of rooms included in above | 187 |
| Total number of rooms sprayed for all purposes | 1,897 |
| Number of articles disinfected | 8,328 |
| Number of library books disinfected | 1,224 |
| Number of disinfection certificates issued | 41 |
| Number of houses visited | 257 |
| Number of rooms sprayed | 748 |
| Number of houses revisited | 32 |
The rooms were sprayed with a preparation of 5 per cent D.D.T. Lindane with
Pybuthrin as a "Knockdown".
There were many complaints during the year of insect infestation. The usual
offenders were wood boring beetles, ants, cockroaches, drugstore beetles, carpet
beetles, clothes moths, weevils ans silver fish.
The total number of visits made by the staff of the Disinfecting Station for
all purposes was 1,797.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT 1949
Rat destruction in dwelling houses and business premises is carried out
under the direction of the Rodent Officer, and two Rodent operatives working under
his supervision. Sewer treatment is carried out by the department of the Borough
Engineer in conjunction with the Rodent Officer and his staff.
In all cases of dwelling houses treatment is undertaken by the Local Authority
free of charge, but in the case of business premises a charge is made.
During the year, 1,450 complaints were received. Of this number 357 were not
justified; 1,027 were in respect of brown rats, and 66 in respect of mice. During
the course of investigation 1,076 baitings were made and 17 defective drains discovered.