View report page

153
(Dr. Brown of Bermondsey's Form).
Directions to be followed in regard to Plague infected rats
and to the destruction of rats generally in the district.
1.—Advice should be given as to the various ways of ridding
premises of rats:—
(a) The employment of a professional ratcatcher.
(b) Trapping—Ratpits.
(c) "Rattin" virus.
(d) Chemical poisons, such as Barium Carbonate,
Strychnia in the form of Battle's vermin killer,
Asenic, Phosphor paste.
2. — Inquiries should be made throughout the borough, especially
at the wharves and warehouses on the river bank, as to an
unusual number of sick or dead rats on the premises. All
persons to be asked to send information in connection
therewith to the Medical Officer of Health. Mention at the
same time should be made if any rat poison had been
spread about.
3.—Dead or dying rats should not be handled with the naked
hands. They should be taken up with a pair of tongs and
plunged into a strong solution of soap and water, or into a
solution of any of the well known disinfectants such as
Izal, Cyllin, Jeyes'. Lysol, &c. The rats would, on information,
be collected by the Public Health Department.
4.—All places where food is prepared should be kept scrupulously
clean, and no unsound or refuse food should be kept for a
longer period than is necessary at the wharves and
warehouses. All destructible refuse in connection with
houses should be burned, and not put into the dustbin. The
Food Inspector to see that all condemned food is removed
and destroyed without any delay.
5.—On information, the Public Health Department will collect
all dead rats, either for examination or cremation. Boxes
will be provided for rats about to be examined.