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46
These Regulations provide that any liquid substance to which Section 5 of the
Act applies shall not be delivered or sent out except in bottles or other containers
rendered distinguishable by touch from ordinary bottles or containers.
Provision is also made for efficient indication on the bottle that the contents are
not to be administered internally.
With these recommendations I am in complete agreement, and although
disinfectants are rarely distributed by the Public Health Department, I have made
arrangements that when such is done the disinfectants shall be contained in such a
special bottle as suggested.
Other Departments of the Corporation, however, are larger distributors within the
meaning of the Circular referred to, and these have accordingly been acquainted with
the suggestions of the Local Government Board.
RAT EXTERMINATOR.
Having regard to the dangerous character of some of the vermin destroying
viruses that have from time to time been placed upon the market, special attention is
always given to any new preparation of this nature.
In the early part of the year such a virus was in use in the Central Meat
Market and other places in London infested with rats.
A specimen of this virus was obtained and submitted to Dr. Andrewes, who
reported thereon as follows:—
"This virus is stated to contain a modified Loeffler's bacillus, which I take
"to mean the bacillus typhi murium of Loeffler. As I stated in my preliminary
"Report, there is doubt whether such a bacillus exists as an independent
"species. The bacilli described as such appear to belong to the Gartner Group,
"and the exposure of such bacteria in and about dwellings would be fraught
"with the same danger as exists in the case of the Danysz virus and similar
"preparations.
"The virus submitted to me appears wholly inert. I have failed on
"two occasions to isolate from it any number of the Gartner Group, though
"B. coli is present.
"Two white rats were fed for two days (November 22nd and 23rd)
"exclusively on this virus, consuming between them 20 of the gelatine tubes.
"Both animals have remained up to the present (24 days) in perfect health."
It was claimed that the preparation was impervious to the action of sun, rain or
moist atmosphere, and that a peculiar merit of the bait was that the infected rat did
not break out in sores, but "in some mysterious way is rendered more palatable to
" his fellows who devour his carcase with avidity."
On the representation of my predecessor, Dr. Collingridge, the Firm responsible
for placing this virus on the market, have withdrawn it from sale.
I am at present engaged in obtaining information respecting the question of rat
nuisance in the City, and I hope in a short time to present a report.