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151
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST PLAGUE.
In view of a possible outbreak of the disease among rats, a careful
inspection was made of the whole of the wharves, warehouses and. riverside
property in the borough, and certain dead rats were bacteriologically
examined, with a negative result.
The inspectors engaged in this work had the ready co-operation of
the wharfingers, and although no evidence \va6 found of rat infection, it
was very good and useful practice should an invasion of plague occur.
It is well to place on record the following report made to the Public
Health Committee:—
I have to report that Dr. Reece, one of the Medical Officers of
the Local Government Board, called upon me on the 21st ultimo in
reference to the measures to be taken under the Order of the Local
Government Board, dated November 10th, 1910.
He informed me that in more than one district of the Metropolis
large numbers of rats had been found affected by Plague, and that it
was highly necessary a campaign should be entered upon and
actively carried on for the destruction of rats, especially in the
wharves and warehouses on the river banks. He referred to the
memorandum on plague by Dr. Newsholme, Medical Officer of the
Board.
Dr. Reece suggested that inquiries should be made to discover
if excessive morbidity or mortality existed among rats at the present
time, or among domesticated animals. He also drew attention to
the power under the Order to appoint, if thought necessary, an
officer to superintend the work of destroying rats. He thought that
the Borough Engineer, Sanitary Inspectors, Sewerman and other
similar officials should asssist in the work.
Dr. Reece advised that when excessive sickness or mortality
among rats was found, sample rats should be sent in suitable boxes
to the Local Government Board for examination. That notices
setting out the best methods of destroying rats should be sent to
householders. These are (a) Trapping by a professional ratcatcher,
when the fleas infesting the rats can be destroyed at the same time
by plunging the trap into a strong solution of soap and water, or
disinfectant, (b) By making rat-pits, (c) By "Rattin" Virus, (d) By