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
Southwark 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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16
RODENT CONTROL
Sewer treatment was carried out four times in the year, adhering
to the previous year's method of quarterly treatments of 10 per
cent. zinc phosphide poison bait laid without the normal pre-baiting
and checked 48 hours afterwards.
The results were not as spectacular as in 1954, but confirmed that
the treatments in that year had been most effective. There was a
continued decrease in the number of manholes infested, and out of
1,015, 642 were free from infestation.
tde use of quarterly treatments appears to have better results tdan half-yearly, and costs compared favourably as pre-baiting expenses were avoided.
| Complete "Takes" | Fairly Heavy | Slight | No "Takes" | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infestations | ||||
| 1st Qtr. (12 oz. Poison baits) | — | 3 | 226 | 392 |
| 2nd Qtr. | — | 6 | 258 | 418 |
| 3rd Qtr. | — | 4 | 221 | 421 |
| 4td Qtr. | — | 4 | 113 | 533 |
689 manholes were tested in the first quarter, but inclement
weather interfered with this treatment.
In addition, extensive work has been carried out in connection
with disused drainage on sites cleared after war damage and at
properties demolished in connection with slum clearance.
VENTILATION OF SEWERS
The Council agreed to co-operate in an all-London experiment in
connection with the ventilation of sewers by using existing soil
pipes after removal of the stoppers from interceptor traps between
sewers and private drainage systems. It was recommended that
wire guards be fitted in lieu of the stoppers to prevent the risk of
rats gaining access.
REQUISITIONED HOUSES AND HOUSING
(AMENDMENT) ACT, 1955
This Act, which came into operation on the 6th June, 1955,
enables local authorities to wind up the use of requisitioning for
housing purposes by 31st March, 1960, and provides new measures
and Exchequer assistance to make this possible without causing
hardship to the families living in the houses, including provisions for
payments to owners who are willing to accept licensees as statutory
tenants and grants to local authorities leasing or purchasing requisitioned
houses or houses in substitution therefor.
The Minister of Housing and Local Government has directed local
authorities to invite the owners of requisitioned houses to accept the
licensees as their statutory tenants, and special compensation (in