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16
with various firms for the eradication of pests. When the new contracts were under
review, the tenders for all the hospitals where the work was done by
contract varied from £219 to £819, and it was felt that not only was there
an element of uncertainty as to the amount and value of the services rendered, but
that it was work which could be done more effectively and economically by the
Council's staff. The Public Health Committee eventually decided that arrangements
for the disinfesting of the general hospitals and institutions allocated for use as
hospitals should be carried out under the supervision of the inspectorate of the
general public health branch of the public health department, the hospital or
institutional staff continuing to discharge such duties as were requisite in connection
with the repression of pests.
In addition to the hospitals, visits have also been made, on complaint, to certain
public assistance institutions as well as to schools.
The most serious pest is the " cockroach " ; it is met with in practically all the
kitchens and in many of the storerooms. The existence of conduits for hot water
and steam pipes, the difficulty of getting under and around fittings and other
structural factors make the total elimination of this insect, at present, practically
an impossibility. In an attempt to secure vermin-proof buildings, minor works
have, in some cases, been carried out, and where this has been done control has
been rendered much easier.
Other pests met with are rats, mice and, in a less degree, crickets, ants, flies,
moths and, rarely, bugs. In the case of rats, ratlime and one or other of the red
squill preparations have been found useful. Virus is not used.
The usual procedure is for the inspector to visit, suggest remedies and explain
what should be done. This is followed by further visits, sometimes in the day, but
generally at night when further advice is given. Liquid sprays, insecticide powders,
sticky baits, poisonous baits and traps all have their uses and are generally employed
in combination. While there is some difference in the value of the various insecticides
the predominating factor making for success is a personal one, depending on the
intelligence and enthusiasm of the local officer detailed for the work.
A very real difficulty arises from the fact that the work has mostly to be done
at night after work in the kitchens has ceased, at a time when, unfortunately, only
a small staff is working, and such officers as are on duty have their time already
fully occupied.
I am satisfied that the procedure above described, which has been substituted
for the older practice of contracting with private firms, for disinfesting what are now
the Council's institutions, is much more efficient and certainly has effected substantial
economies in this important work. The inspectors engaged thereon, in addition to
the qualifications which an inspector's training confers, have spared no pains to
make themselves expert advisers in this work. They are in liason with the entomologists
and other naturalists at the government museums, and the measures adopted
are the best that can be suggested by scientific advisers, both within and without
the Council's service.