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Your staff only undertake rat-destruction where the occupier has failed to take the necessary
action or the measures he has taken have failed; but it frequently happens that, subsequently,
occupiers request us to undertake periodical treatment of their premises. During the year, 751 cases
of infestation were dealt with ; 8,622 operational visits were made; 98,506 pre-baits and 12,066
poison baits were laid. The kill, estimated on the weight of poison consumed, was 5,637 rats, of
which 1,822 bodies were actually recovered. In addition, 552 rats were destroyed by trapping. The
figure of 5,637 rats is probably an under estimate, as the lethal dose of poison is calculated for the
brown rat, a much bigger and heavier animal than the black rat. which in the City is about 90 per
cent, of the rat population.
The rats destroyed by your staff are only a small proportion of the total bag during the year,
because a number of private rat-catching firms are operating and many occupiers do their own ratcatching.
It is not practicable to ascertain with reasonable accuracy the number of rats thus destroyed.
The treatment of sewers was carried out twice during the year. In May the estimated kill was
730, and in December 1,342 rats.
Instances occurred in which rats poisoned in the sewers during these treatments were found
dead inside premises. In such cases the means of access to the premises from the sewers were investigated
and closed.
The poisons mainly used have been Zinc Phosphide and Arsenious Oxide and occasionally Red
Squill and Barium Carbonate. Occasional complaints of the smell of dead rats are inevitable,
but it has been possible to minimise this temporary nuisance, and it has been generally agreed that
it is more than compensated by the effective clearance of rats achieved.
Housing.
The total number of housing applications outstanding on December 31st, 1948, was 340, representing
848 persons. The number of families rehoused during the year was 48, representing 113½
persons. This figure includes 31 families representing 77 persons transferred within property under
the Corporation's control.
The Corporation have continued to endeavour to find a site for the erection of flats in which to
re-house the persons for whom they have this responsibility. A proposal so to develop a " blitzed "
site in the City failed to obtain the approval of the Ministry of Health. Sites outside the City are at
present under consideration.
Staff.
The members of your staff in this department have carried out their duties with efficiency, tact
and courtesy during the year, and have secured compliance with the sanitary legislation without
recourse to the courts except on five occasions.
I have pleasure in reporting that Mr. H. J. Aldhous, one of your Sanitary Inspectors, obtained
the degree of Bachelor of Science (Estate Management) of the University of London, and Mr. K. S.
Seymour, Probationary Meat Inspector, who on demobilisation was granted leave of absence without
pay to enable him to take a Government Course of Training to qualify as a Sanitary Inspector, was
successful in obtaining the Sanitary Inspector's Certificate of the Royal Sanitary Institute.
I have also to report that Mr. A. E. R. Scott, one of your Sanitary Inspectors, resigned, having
been accepted as a Medical Student at St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School.
Miss B. N. Chandler, Tuberculosis Nurse and Senior Health Visitor, and Sister M. Davies, parttime
assistant in the Child Welfare and the Tuberculosis Clinics, were transferred to the staff of the
London County Council on the " Appointed Day," under the National Health Service Act.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
CHAS. F. WHITE,
Medical Officer of Health.