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Lonbon County Council
NUISANCE FROM FLIES.
Report by the Medical Officer of Health, presenting further report by Dr. Hamer,
Medical Officer (General Purposes) on the extent to which fly nuisance is
produced in London by accumulations of offensive matter.
(Ordered by the Public Health Committee to be printed, October, 1908.)
During the summer of 1908 further investigations have been made with regard to "Nuisance
from Flies," on lines similar to those followed in 1907, and the present report must be read with the
report of that year.
In 1908,141 places of observation surrounding nine sets of premises were chosen, as compared with
163 places of observation surrounding twelve sets of premises selected last year. For the most part
the premises studied in 1908 have been either identical with or of a similar character to those watched
in 1907. It is deserving of note, however, that one of the depots which caused so much nuisance last
year was not used after June of the present year, and in correspondence with this it has been found
(judging by the results obtained at fifteen places of observation surrounding this centre) that there
have been at least six million fewer flies this year than last, in houses within a radius of 200 yards
from the depot. Again, the disuse of a cowshed, which was a source of serious fly nuisance last year,
has been followed by abatement of the nuisance in the neighbourhood of this shed.
In 1908, as in 1907, the large part played by collections of horse manure in determining fly
nuisance has been made abundantly apparent. The need of a power regulating the sanitary condition
of stables; and, further, of strict exercise of the powers for requiring the removal of manure at sufficiently
frequent intervals, and upon due precautions being taken with regard to such removal, has been long
felt, but this need has been greatly emphasised now that it has become realised that the fly nuisance
of cities is to so large an extent due to neglected conditions at stable premises.
A number of interesting observations have been made in 1908 upon the different species of house
flies. While the ordinary house fly, Musca domestica, is by far the most common species, some
thousands of specimens of Homalomyia canicularis (the smaller house fly) and Stomoxys calcitrans
(a biting fly) have also been caught. It has been possible from the figures now available to construct
a chart giving the curves of seasonal prevalence of these three species of flies. Musca domestica is found
to be distinctly later in appearance, and also to remain until a later period of the year, than the other
two species. Musca domestica preponderates so largely over other flies that the curve for this species
practically corresponds with that for total flies."
The report also refers to the question of diarrhœa. No final decision can be given, but in the
present state of knowledge it appears desirable to maintain a critical attitude as regards acceptance
of the view that the fly acts as a carrier of the diarrhoea organism.
Shirley F. Murphy,
Medical Officer of Health.
Dr. Hamer's Report.
In continuation of fly observations of last year, a further series has been made throughout the
summer of 1908. In 1907 twelve centres were selected and around them places of observation from six
to twelve, and in some instances more in number, were chosen. The last-named places were, as a rule,
the kitchens or living rooms of tenements occupied by poor people ; and in these rooms fly papers
were exposed for periods of two or three days,* and the average daily number of flies caught on the
papers was thereupon determined (For details, see Report of 1907).
In the summer of 1908 similar methods were adopted, though these were, as the result of the
experience gained in 1907, in certain respects somewhat amplified and amended. For purposes of
comparison, it may be noted in the first instance that
The twelve centres of 1907 included — The nine centres of 1908 included—
Four Depots, at three of which stable manure, Four Depots, at three of which stable
house refuse, or both, were manipulated, manure, or house refuse, or both, were
Two Stable premises, manipulated,
A Cattle Market and two Cowhouse premises, Two Stable premises,
Two Offensive trade premises, and A Cowshed,
A jam factory. A Glue and Size Manufacturer's premises, and
A jam factory.
* It would have been more satisfactory to have exposed the papers for shorter periods, but the labour entailed
made this impracticable. A paper which has been exposed for two days and on which a number of flies has been
caught, is found to trap very few flies on the third day. Thus the records of flies caught are apt to show a drop on
days when the "average daily number" is calculated from a three days' exposure of the paper, as compared with days
on which it is calculated from a two days' exposure.
18484—2000—23.11.08
s.S./5974