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

Poplar 1936

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]

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38
The services of the rat-catcher who is employed by the Works
Department are utilised by the Public Health Department in the
following manner:—
(1) The Sanitary Inspector when investigating a complaint of rats
offers the occupier the services of a rat-catcher, and if these are
accepted, visits the premises with the rat-catcher.
(2) In cases where runs are traced under the footpaths, etc., arrangements
are made with the Borough Surveyor's Department for the
paving stones to be raised and for the rat-catcher to be present
at the same time as the Sanitary Inspector for the tracing of runs,
etc.
A monthly report of the premises visited by the rat-catcher, baits
laid, rats caught, etc., is submitted to the Public Health Department.

Table: SUMMARY OF RAT-CATCHER'S WORK. (i) Dwelling-houses.

SUMMARY OF RAT-CATCHER'S WORK.

(i) Dwelling-houses.

No. of Premises.No. of Baits.No. of dead Rats.No. of Rats caught in Traps.Total No. of Rats.
Laid.Taken.Dead.Alive.
Council1348,9591,22377218106
Private75227,15310,6481,0252943411,660
Total88636,11211,8711,1023153491,766

Table: (ii) Sewers, etc.

(ii) Sewers, etc.

No. of Sewers, etc.No. of Baits.No. of dead Rats.No. of Rats caught in Traps.Total No. of Rats.
Laid.Taken.Dead.Alive.
Sewers12210,1924,3822641—265
Conveniences, etc.25