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 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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The checking of plans of new chimneys continued during the year to ensure
control of the emissions of the oxides of sulphur through chimneys of adequate
height.
PEST CONTROL
RODENT CONTROL
The trend for the number of rat infestations both above and below ground
to slowly decrease each year was continued in 1971, on the other hand, the trend
for mice infestations to increase continued and many more infestations had to
be treated with a rodenticide other than Warfarin.
Comparative figures are shown below:
| 1970 | 1971 | |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 3,397 | 4,340 |
| Investigations | 4,388 | 6,017 |
| Revisits | 8,097 | 10,043 |
| Baitings | 6,898 | 8,111 |
| Rat-Infestations | 918 | 871 |
| Mice-Infestations | 2,479 | 3,468 |
| Drain Tests | 54 | 34 |
Treatment in domestic premises is carried out free of charge, but a charge
is made for commercial premises and owners of the latter are encouraged to employ
private servicing companies to ease the demand on the Council's staff.
Treatment of the sewers for rats is carried out in conjunction with the
Directorate of Civil Engineering and Public Services, and involves the baiting
of some 3,000 manholes.
PIGEON CONTROL
Flocks of feral pigeons which reach proportions causing a nuisance are
reduced as far as practicable by a private contractor working under the general
direction of the Public Health Inspector.