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

Wandsworth 1913

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]

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Table: Report of the Medical Officer of Health.

Report of the Medical Officer of Health.

Material used.Time of exposure.Result.
Paraffin½ hourAll larvae dead.
Soft Soap and paraffin (½ lb. soft soap, J pint paraffin, 1 pint water).½ hourNearly all larvae dead.
Do. do.24 hoursAll larvae dead.
Methylated spirit and naphthalin1 hourEffective, one or two larvæ still alive.
Do.24 hoursAll larvae dead.
Powdered Naphthalin4 hoursAbout half the number dead
Do.28 hoursAll larvae dead.
Naphthalin in water4 hoursLarvae still alive.
Do.28 hoursAll larvae dead.
Carbolic Acid (i J ozs. to 2 lbs. of flue dust).1 hourAll larvae dead.
Perchloride of mercury4 hoursLarvae alive.
Do.28 hoursLarvae alive.
Do.6 daysSome larvae still alive.
Paris green—(Aceto arsenate of Copper, ½ lb.; Slaked lime, ½ lb.; Water, ½ gall.).4 hoursLarvae still alive.
Do.28 hoursLarvae still alive.
Sulphate of iron4 hoursLarvae still alive.
Do.28 hoursLarvae still alive.
Chlorinated lime solution4 hoursLarvae still alive.
Do.28 hoursLarvae all dead.
Powdered sulphur1 hourLarvae still alive.
Do.28 hoursLarvae still alive.
Formaldehyde solution, 20 per cent.1 hourLarvae still alive.
Do.24 hoursLarvae still alive.
Permanganate of potash4 hoursLarvae still alive.
Do.28 hoursLarvae still alive. (This seems to act as a stimulant, the larva moving very quickly.)