London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Southwark 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
This page requires JavaScript
16
SEWER TREATMENTS
A new method of sewer treatment was commenced involving
quarterly treatments of 10% zinc phosphide poison bait, laid
without the normal pre-baiting and checked 48 hours after, as
compared with half-yearly treatments of 2½% poison bait
following 2 days pre-baiting.
There are 1,015 manholes and flushing tanks in the sewer system.
Prior to actual treatment a test bait of 4 ounces of bread rusk
was deposited in each manhole and subsequently checked. From
this test bait, 689 manholes were found to show infestation by
reason of the bait being eaten. Of these, 333 were complete ' 'takes''
indicating a fairly heavy infestation.
The quarterly poison treatments were commenced within three weeks with the following results:—
| Complete "Takes." | Fairly Heavy | Slight | No "Takes." | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infestations. | ||||
| 1st Qtr. (16 oz. Poison baits) | 4 | 433 | 38 | 208 |
| 2nd Qtr. (12 oz.) | 1 | 124 | 232 | 322 |
| 3rd Qtr. (12 oz.) | 1 | 48 | 182 | 443 |
| 4th Qtr. (12 oz.) | — | 65 | 194 | 420 |
These appear to be very successful and it is gratifying to note the absence
of normal seasonal build-ups of rat population. This method of treatment is
being continued.
RENT & MORTGAGE INTEREST RESTRICTIONS
ACTS, 1920-1939
Twenty four certificates as to the state of repair of dwelling
houses were issued during the year under the above Acts.
HOUSING REPAIRS AND RENTS ACT, 1954
The Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954, which came into operation
on the 30th August, 1954, provides amended powers for dealing
with unfit houses. Duties are also placed upon the Council for dealing
with certain matters in relation to rent increases permitted by the
Act.
Part I of the Act, which deals with slum clearance and the reconditioning
of unfit houses, requires local authorities to submit to
the Minister of Housing and Local Government proposals for dealing
with unfit houses in their district. In London these proposals must
be submitted jointly by the London County Council and the respective
borough councils and must be in the hands of the Minister
by the 30th August, 1955.
This part of the Act empowers local authorities to acquire houses in
clearance areas or subject to demolition orders and to carry out such
works as are necessary to render them capable of providing accommodation
adequate for the time being. Financial assistance in the
acquisition and maintenance of such houses is to be provided by the
Exchequer.