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The common rat infestations were in the main confined to building sites which provided
every facility and are conducive to infestation by both species, but taking into consideration
the vast amount of re-development completed since 1950, and that now in progress, rat infestation
has not in any instance reached the degree visualized and expected at the onset of reconstruction.
From the time the footings of the sites are completed inspections are made and any action necessary
taken, and the fullest co-operation has been received from the various contractors.
The low level of common rat infestation in surface properties is in no small measure due
to the systematic control measures periodically applied in the City sewers in compliance with the
legislation. It is the purpose of these control measures to keep the rat population of the sewers
down to the lowest possible level, and thereby assist in preventing infestation of surface properties
from this source via defective drainage.
During the period under review, four "Direct" poisons treatments with Fluoracetamide were
applied in March, June, September and December, respectively and an average of 390 sewer
manholes distributed over 34 miles of traversable sewers were poison baited.
The annual overall test baiting which provides an indication of the results achieved by the
Direct Poison Method of control was applied prior to the June treatment, a total of 388 manholes
were baited and the test baits left down two days. These baits in effect act as pre-baits. Each
bait was then examined and where taken replaced by poison bait. The test bait result on examination
was 58 takes (45 complete, 3 x lA and 10 x !4) each bait being 4 ozs. Ignoring the
partial "takes" which are doubtful acceptances, and recorded for technical reasons only, the
summarised result is 11.6% complete "takes" of the total number baited.
The comparative annual overall test bait in 1961 produced 85 "takes" (71 complete, 5 x% and
9 x Vi) which is 17.6% complete "takes" of the total baited. There is therefore a reduction of 6%
on the previous year.
A comprehensive and detailed report on the "Direct" Poison system and the use of Sodium
Fluoroacetate and Fluoracetamide, compiled since 1951 when first instituted in the City, was
included in the I960 Annual Report, and the information collated therein has assisted a number
of Local Authorities to adopt this technique of control.
MASS RADIOGRAPHY
Dr. W.D.R. Thompson, Medical Director of the Mass Radiography Unit at the City Mortuary
Building, 20 Golden Lane, E.C.2., reports that 67,762 persons were X-rayed during 1962, an
increase of 1,189 over the 1961 figure.
During the year nearly 600 new firms were approached and circular letters were sent to
2,200 firms who had been written to on several occasions in the past without success or which
had not used the services of the Unit regularly. The response was reasonably satisfactory.
ANTI-POLIOMYELITIS CLINIC
From 10th November 1958 until 4th July, 1962 the L.C.C. Divisional Medical Officer had
the occasional use of the Civil Defence Control accommodation in the sub-basement of the
Guildhall Office Block, by courtesy of the Chairman of the Civil Defence Committee and with the
co-operation of the Civil Defence Department, for use as an anti- poliomyelitis clinic. During this
period approximately 36,000 persons received inoculations.
In 1959 the demand for anti-poliomyelitis inoculations increased considerably and there
is little doubt that the death of a well known professional footballer in April 1959 encouraged
many people to seek protection from the disease who might not have done so otherwise.
After 1959 attendances at the clinic fell gradually until by July 1962 attendances at the
clinr.c no longer justified its continuance.
CANCER DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC
The City of London Diagnostic Clinic at St. Bartholomew's Hospital continued during the
year 1962; 227 women were seen during the year.
As reported by Mr. Brian Measday, Resident Gynaecological and Obstetric Surgeon at St.
Bartholomew's Hospital, in his article in The Lancet, 25th August, 1962, entitled "A WellWomen's
Clinic", patients attend the clinic after telephoning for an appointment; this they do in
response to a leaflet which has been distributed in the rest rooms of business houses and companies
in the City. This notice invites any woman over thirty-five, who works or lives within the
City boundaries, to attend a clinic where, by means of a simple test, her positive health in
respect of cancer of the genital tract can be assured.
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