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14.
SANITARY SUPERVISION OF THE BOROUGH.
Inspections made for the purpose of investigating complaints
numbered 13,546. The inspection and supervision of
the public air raid shelters in the Borough, has been continued,
and 971 visits were made for the purpose. In addition 20.576
visits were made to premises which had been damaged by
enemy action. The total number of inspections made by
the Inspectors for all purposes during the year, was 41,650.
2,926 defects were made.
No proceedings at the Police Court were instituted during
the; year.
87 visits were made on account of verminous conditions
of houses or bedding. '283 inspections of sanitary conveniences
were made.
939 complaints of the presence of rats were investigated
by the Council's rat catcher, who made 2,300 visits and laid
baits
The Director of Infestation Control, Ministry of Food,
inaugurated an intensive rat campaign towards the end of
1943. and requested all Metropolitan Boroughs to take concerted
action, and to carry out treatment of the sewers on two occasions.
This was done in December, 1943, and again in January this
year. In this Borough, 3,469 baits were laid during the first
treatment resulting in the estimated destruction of 28,400 rats.
On the second occasion 3,464 baits were laid, when it was
estimated that 14,200 rats had been destroyed.
MORTUARY AND CREMATORIUM.
The Mortuary at Wandsworth was used throughout the
year, and 299 bodies were received there.
As Medical referees under the Crematorium Regulations,
1930, Dr MacDonnell and I have authorised 420 cremations,
which took place at the Crematorium at Putney Vale Cemetery.
HOUSING.
Work in connection with housing has again been on a
reduced scale, but 6,295 dwelling-houses were inspected for
defects by the Sanitary Inspectors, the total number of inspections
made being 14,535. 1,670 houses were found not in all
respects reasonably fit for human habitation, and of thesie 222
were rendered fit without the service of any notice.