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 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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shown in the following tables:-
| No. of Manholes | Number Baited | No Take | Small Take | Good Take | Complete Take | % Prebait Take. | % Complete Take. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area I | 340 | 240 | 180 | 21 | 9 | 30 | 25% | 12.5% |
| Area IX | 200 | 140 | 110 | 5 | 13 | 12 | 21,3% | 8.5% |
| Area II | 204 | 200 | 147 | 13 | 25 | 15 | 26.5% | 6.5% |
| Area III | 207 | 190 | 123 | 16 | 24 | 27 | 35% | 14% |
| Area IV | 432 | 333 | 220 | 33 | 30 | 50 | 33% | 15% |
| Area V | 480 | 397 | 233 | 49 | 69 | 46 | 41% | 11.6% |
| Whole of the Borough | 1813 | 1500 | 1013 | 127 | 170 | 180 | 32.5% | 12% |
Analysis of baiting points;
| Number of points baited | 1500 |
| L.C.C. sewers not treated | 267 |
| Manholes found flooded | 3 |
| Rain washed away baits | 14 |
| Road obstructed | 1 |
| Manhole covers not lifted | 12 |
| Trays needing new ropes or unsuitable for baiting | 16 |
| Total | 1813 |
Results of Treatments:
| When treated. | Number of manholes. | No Take | Small Take | Good Take | Complete Take | % Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th Jan. 1946 | 1181 | 354 | 171 | 184 | 472 | 70% |
| 5th June 1946 | 1452 | 824 | 291 | 175 | 162 | 44% |
It can be said that as the result of the sixth treatment
(in January, 1947) the rat population has reached its lowest known level
and that future treatments at six-monthly intervals should further lower
the sewer rat population. The number of sewer systems free from rats has
materially increased; the results shorn in the first table again
demonstrate that the level of the sewer rat population is highest in the
most densely populated parts of the borough, and that in these areas
there is an ample food supply for rats in the sewers.
I should like to thank the Borough Engineer and his staff
for their ready and willing co-operation, without which the success of
the treatment would have been impossible.
FACTORIES ACT, 1927. During the year 702 inspections were made and
defects or nuisances were found at 150. Of these 131 were remedied.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
The Meat and Food inspectors made 4,173 inspections of
premises where food is prepared, stored or sold.
REPORT OF TIE PUBLIC ANALYSTS. The number of samples examined was 722
and the number found to be adulterated was 37 (5.1 per cent.). During
the ten years 1937-46 the average number examined was 708 and the
percentage adulterated was 2.7.
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1938. The Council, at a meeting on 29th July, 1946,
resolved that as from 1st September 1946, and until such time as the