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During 1963, 448 patients attended who either worked or lived in the City. 3 cases of preinvasive
carcinoma were detected which should virtually produce a cure.
As well as the taking of smears for the cancer test a general examination was also carried
out and as a result 17 cases were admitted to hospital for treatment of benign conditions,
nothing to do with cancer.
PLAN FOR AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE IN THE CITY OF LONDON
On 7th December, 1962, it was resolved by the Port and City of London Health Committee
that Dr. A. Robinson, Assistant Medical Officer, be instructed to prepare a detailed plan of
an Occupational Health Service in the City of London which was to include an estimate of the
cost. The first draft was laid before the Committee on 5th April, 1963. In general the plan followed
the lines of the group industrial health services at Slough and Harlow, but although certain
features of these units were incorporated care was taken to orient the services which it offered
towards commerce and not to industry. Eventually the plan was submitted to the Court of Common
Council on 10th October, 1963, but was referred back for further consideration and report.
RODENT CONTROL
In compliance with the provisions of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, it is the
duty of every Local Authority to take such steps as may be necessary to secure as far as
practicable that their district is kept free from rats and mice.
For the purpose of implementing the provisions of the Act, organisation and procedure
were similar to previous years comprising inspection of properties to ascertain the presence of
rats and/or mice, treatment of properties found to be infested, recommendation and supervision
of structural and incidental proofing, and periodical control measures for the destruction of rats
in sewers.
No difficulty has arisen necessitating statutory action to resolve the problem and the cooperation
of owners and occupiers received in the past has been maintained.
A major proportion of the work comprised inspection of defined areas for the purpose of
instituting collective action if necessary.
A total of 3,168 occupancies and properties were inspected under the Act, these properties
varying from comprehensive re-developments in the course of construction, riverside food wharves
and warehouses, public and private catering establishments, blocks of offices, shops and factories
to domestic dwellings.
Altogether 522 complaints were received, either by notification or as the result of inspection
and of this total 482 infestations were subject of control measures. In 40 instances no action
other than advice was necessary. These were mainly cases where an odd transient mouse had
been seen by office cleaners in the early morning, but the often long procedure of investigation
still had to be applied, not only to satisfy the occupier who had co-operated by notifying, but to
ensure that the occurrence was not a fringe of a heavier infestation elsewhere in the property.
Such complaints do, however, indicate the awareness of employers and employees of even
minor nuisances and their readiness to seek advice and assistance to resolve a problem. From
the rodent aspect alone, this is an attitude to be encouraged as in the past many infestations
of rats and mice, some approaching a major degree have been traced as the result of a complaint
of a minor or even frivolous nature. Continued routine inspection has fostered this attitude,
encouraged the public and strengthened their co-operation.
The total of 482 infestations subject to control measures comprised 3 major and 62 minor
infestations of rats and 4 major and 413 minor infestations of mice. Of the rat infestations, 3
major (21-200) and 47 minor (1-20) were of common rat (Rattus norvegicus) character and the
remainder 15 minor infestations came under the Ship (Black) rat (Rattus Rattus) classification.
The three major infestations of common rat were of sufficient numerical density as to be excluded
from the minor scale, although low in the major category.
Treatment of these infestations entailed 4,590 visits for operational purposes, and in the
application of control measures 11,812 initial baiting sites were selected for both rats and mice.
In the control of rats, 4,970 pre-baits and 516 poison baits were laid. Such measures resulted in a
minimum estimated kill of 524 rats, and of this number 217 bodies were removed from the sites
of the operations. Others were found on elimination of structural harbourage, or removal of incidental
harbourage providing nesting facilities, but no cognizance is taken of these unless
vouched for by a member of the Rodent Staff. The use of anti-coagulant rodenticides and other
poisons entailed the application of 10,281 baiting points for the control of mice and 795 bodies
were recovered.
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