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 1964
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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RODENT CONTROL IN SEWERS
In 1961 an experiment was begun using Sodium Fluoracetamide (l08l)
with six treatments each year. The basis of the experiment was that
a rat matures and is capable of reproduction at about two months; if
rats coulgl he killed before reaching maturity this would be the most
satisfactory way of reducing their numbers.
The results are highly encouraging and it is now reported that
several sections of the sewerage system have been freed of rats and
have remained free.
Table A shows the variation in results over a period of years,
Table 3 shows the distribution of results over the Borough.
Allowing for certain infiltration from extensive dock and railway
property and from adjoining boroughs, the improvement in the overall
situation is regarded as being very satisfactory.
TABLE A
| Year | Manholes Baited | Takes Recorded | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Complete | |||
| 1943 | 1,566 | 234 | 147 | With either Zinc Phosphide and sausage or bread rusk or Arsenous Oxide and sausage or bread rusk |
| 1946 | 1,452 | 175 | 162 | |
| 1947 | 1,701 | 125 | 202 | |
| 1948 | 1,831 | 138 | 162 | |
| 1949 | 1,815 | 199 | 132 | |
| 1954 | 1,567 | 212 | 189 | |
| 1956 | 1,537 | 233 | 223 | |
| 1958 | 840 | 34 | 141 | Treated with prepared Warfarin |
| 1959 | 1,481 | 57 | 136 | |
| Jan. 1961 | 1,478 | 70 | 118 | Treated with Sodium Fluoracetamide (-1081) and commencement of six treatments per year |
| May 1961 | 1,382 | 89 | 108 | |
| 1962 | 1,413 | 98 | 36 | |
| " 1963 | 1,421 | 82 | 16 | |
| " 1964 | 1,522 | 70 | 20 | |