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54
Rat Week.—This was held from 2nd to 7th November inclusive. The usual circular
letter was sent out to principal wharfingers, railway companies, tradesmen, etc., and an
intensive campaign in sewers, etc., carried out by the Borough Engineer and Surveyor, who
caused 9,602 baits to be laid in 689 different positions, 168 rats eventually being found dead.
This number is of course only a small proportion of the number killed.
VERMINOUS CONDITIONS.
Cleansing of Verminous Persons.—Thirty-three (33) cases were referred by the department
to the Kensington Medicinal Baths for treatment under the scheme arranged with the
Kensington Borough Council.
Cleansing of Verminous Rooms.—Notices under section 10 of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1922 were served with respect to 73 premises, the verminous rooms
numbering 113.
The owners of 49 premises accepted the Council's offer with regard to the spraying of
infested rooms with a special vermicidal solution, 80 rooms being so treated at a charge to the
owners of 7s. 6d. per room.
Section 26 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1928, authorises the
cleansing of verminous persons by the exercise of powers granted by a petty sessional court
in cases where the verminous person does not consent to being removed to a cleansing station.
No use was made of this Section during the year.
COMPULSORY REMOVAL OF AGED, INFIRM OR DISEASED PERSONS.
By virtue of Section 28 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1928, it is
possible in London to remove to a hospital or infirmary, by compulsion and under certain
circumstances, aged, infirm, sick or physically incapacitated persons.
The circumstances which may enable an order for removal to be obtained are somewhat
involved. Unless the person concerned is suffering from disease it is necessary for the premises
to be insanitary. It is in all cases necessary as well to prove that the person is not receiving
proper attention and that removal is necessary in the interests of the affected person and of
other persons.
No cases were dealt with under this Section during the year.
HEALTH EDUCATION.
A subscription of £3 3s. Od. was paid to the Central Council for Health Education, a body
which concerns itself with rendering assistance to local authorities in the organisation of
health education work.