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47
3 vacant sites. In 8 of the cases investigated the infestation was directly attributable
to defects in the drainage system, and the nuisance disappeared when repair or
reconstruction was carried out. In every instance all advice and assistance was
given to the owner or occupier by Inspector Willis, who acted as rat officer and
secured excellent results from the methods advocated.
The following report, submitted to the Public Health Committee on the 1938
National Rat Week, contains information on this subject that may be found interesting:
"At the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Rat Week this
year commenced on Monday, the 7th November, and all local authorities responsible
for the execution and enforcement of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919,
were urged to make a special effort to secure concerted action during that week
with a view of the destruction of rats and mice. As in previous years the courses
of action suggested by the Ministry have been followed as far as possible, and again
there has been considerable success not only in obtaining the whole-hearted cooperation
and support of neighbouring local authorities, but also of the general
public. The following gives some indication of the procedure that has been adopted,
and the results obtained:—
Press Publicity.
The editors of the local newspapers were invited to co-operate with the Department
by publishing special articles on Rat Week, and in stimulating interest in the
campaign that was conducted in St. Marylebone. Attention was drawn to the fact
that rats and mice were responsible for an immense loss to the country each year in
the destruction of foodstuffs and other materials and as the agents and carriers of
disease germs. It was pointed out that advice on the subject was always available
at the Town Hall, and that an inspector would call at any premises within the
Borough believed to be rat-infested, with a view of the most suitable action being
taken to get rid of the vermin.
Poster Campaign.
Copies of the Ministry's illustrated poster were exhibited prominently in various
parts of the Borough and on the notice board in the Public Health Department.
Opportunity was taken of making use particularly of the hoarding on the site adjoining
the Town Hall for a special display of these posters, where they attracted
considerable attention.
Circularisation of Business and Trade Premises, etc.
An invitation to participate in the organised attack on the vermin was extended
to railways, commercial undertakings, business houses, property owners, builders,
estate agents, power stations, restaurants, and other food premises. The response
was most encouraging, and the Department was asked to assist in several cases
where difficulty was experienced in exterminating rats and mice. Steps were also
taken by the Zoological Society of London to intensify the campaign at the Zoological
Gardens by every means at their disposal.
Bulletin on Rat Extermination.
The Ministry's booklet on "Rats and How to Exterminate Them," as formerly,
was supplied free of charge on request to ratepayers. Several applications were made
during the week by firms for copies of this Bulletin to be sent to them.
Co-operation with Neighbouring Local Authorities and Treatment of Sewers.
Special attention was given to the sewers and the number of baits normally
laid down was increased; in this respect adjoining local authorities took concerted
action with St. Marylebone, and the combined effort was again rewarded with
encouraging results. Experience has shown that trapping by means of traps of
the "break-back" variety is most efficacious, and in this connection it is interesting
to note that the Council of a neighbouring Borough last year decided to adopt this