View report page

Mice, unlike both species of rats, are unpredictable in behaviour and feeding habits. They
are on average about 25 grammes when mature, and the food intake in 24 hours is consequently
very small — between 3 and 5 grammes, so that very small quantities of food such as described
above is sufficient for their wellbeing. They are erratic in their feeding habits and may eat a
very small amount at a number of places — not necessarily the same each day. This means that
very many small baiting points are required when applying control measures with poison. This
factor also limits the use of acute poisons.
Where there is unlimited harbourage, structural and incidental, as found in warehouses, with
large bulk stowages of varying commodities and types of packaging,plus ample food,there appears
to be a very diminished range of activity from the nesting quarters. Therefore a high percentage
of an infestation living and breeding therein, do not emerge to accept the baits at the baiting
sites, which are limited by the bulk of the stowages or congestion often found in other types of
premises.
The nucleus of such infestation is often imported, and in the case of catering establishments
many instances have been seen where this has occurred in sacks of vegetables, and cartons of
eggs-
As in the past, the low level of Common rat infestation is no doubt due to the systematic
control measures applied in the City sewers at quarterly intervals. Four "Direct" poison treatments
and an overall test baiting were applied during the year, and the result indicates that
success achieved by this technique of control has been maintained.
A comprehensive and detailed report on the Direct Method of Control and the use of Sodium
Fluoroacetate and Fluoracetamide as the toxic agents was compiled from extensive data collated
since 1951, when first instituted in the City, and included in the 1960 Annual Report.
There is no doubt that an unnecessary fear has been fostered in the past, and the hazards
of using these poisons, particularly the former, unduly exaggerated.
It is therefore gratifying to learn that such prejudice has lessened, insofar that many Local
Authorities have now adopted this system of control as applied in the City, and now laid down in
the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food manual on the Control of Rats in Sewers.
MASS RADIOGRAPHY
The following is an extract from a report received from the Medical Director of the Unit,
Dr. W.D.R. Thompson.
"During 1961 the Mass Radiography Unit examined 43,004 males and 23,569 females — making
a total of 66,573. Up to the end of 1961 the Unit has examined 692,037 persons since it corncommenced
operations in May 1950.
"Fifty-four cases with a significant tuberculous lesion have been discovered which gives a
rate of .83 per 1,000 examinees. Seventeen cases of carcinoma of the lung (16 men and l woman)
were discovered during the year. The highest incidence of tubercle was discovered in
men between the ages of 45-54, with those between the ages of 25-34 and 55-59 running them
very close. The greatest incidence in women was found in the 25-34 Age Group.
"The zone of the Unit has remained in the City of London, and the Metropolitan Boroughs of
Finsbury and Shoreditch. The Unit operated for about eight months during the year at the
Mass Radiography Centre, 20,Golden Lane, E.C.I, while the remaining period (excluding
three week period for annual leave) the Unit visited various firms within its zone including
Associated Newspapers Ltd. (when over seventy other firms participated) Custom & Excise
and General Post Office personnel.
"General Practitioners continue to use the Unit's services although they are not so numerous
as one would wish or expect. Doctor's cases however have produced an incident rate of
11.56 per 1,000 examined.
"After an interview with the Medical Director abnormal cases are referred through the
examinee's own doctor to the appropriate Chest Clinic. Clinics have recorded their sputum
findings and twenty-one cases with a positive sputum have been reported of which 14 were
male and 7 female. Cases outside the purview of a Chest Clinic have been referred to St.
Bartholomew's Hospital and the co-operation of Dr. N.C. Oswald and Dr. Graham Hayward is
gratefully acknowledged, as also the helpful assistance rendered by Dr. J. Greenwood-Wilson
and his staff."
ANTI POLIOMYELITIS CLINIC
Since the Autumn of 1958 the Civil Defence Control accommodation in the sub-basement of
the Office Block at Guildhall has, by courtesy of the Chairman of the Civil Defence Committee
11