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Bed Bugs.—Sixty-four dwellings where bugs were found were disinfested. No Council flats were reported to be
infested. Verminous furniture belonging to 36 families, 5 of whom were dishoused as the result of enemy action, was
treated by the hydrogen cyanide process. The mobile hot-air disinfestor continued in use for the disinfestation of
bedding from air-raid shelters, and 1,612 bundles were dealt with.
Verminous Persons.—The numbers of adults and school children using the Cleansing Station were 615 (532 males,
83 females) and 1,136 (317 boys, 819 girls) respectively.
Head Lice.—The number of St. Marylebone children of all ages treated for this condition at the Council's Cleansing
Station was 731. Seven females aged between 14 and 35 years, sent from their places of employment, were also dealt
with. Treatment of school children was carried out with a tar oil compound followed by washing with soft soap and
borax. In other cases attending the Cleansing Station similar treatment was given with subsequent application of
Lethane oil. Where a preparation is needed for cases treated at home the use of Lethane oil is recommended. Thorough
combing of the hair with a steel nit comb is essential whatever method of treatment is employed.
Infestation by head lice was the subject of a circular (2831) issued by the Ministry of Health on the 2nd July, 1943,
in which action along certain lines was suggested to welfare authorities. Generally, these lines have been followed
where there is no risk of antagonising the mothers, whose co-operation in other health matters affecting the children
is so vitally important. The heads of children attending the welfare clinics are conveniently inspected in the doctor's
room, and there is no difficulty in examining children who are to be evacuated or admitted to hospital. Families known
to be in need of special attention are constantly visited by the health visitors, and infested school children, together
with their contacts of pre-school age, are also followed up in the home. A favourable opportunity of warning mothers
against infestation by head lice and of impressing the need for cleanliness of the scalp and hair is afforded wheji a child
is about to attend school. To give mothers all practical assistance in dealing with the problem, nit combs and small
bottles of Lethane oil are issued at the welfare centres.
Rats and Mice.—Following a conference of local authorities in the London area, the Minister of Food issued to the
Council in June a formal direction under the Defence Regulations to report on the extent to which land in the Borough
was subject to infestation by rats and mice. After a three months' survey, involving the inspection of food and other
premises, a report was submitted to the Ministry of Food indicating the extent of major and minor infestations throughout
the district. Further directions were subsequently issued by the Minister requiring the Council (i) to take all
necessary steps for the systematic destruction of rats in sewers in accordance with a programme devised by the Ministry,
and (ii) to make the maximum use of statutory powers under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
During the autumn the Ministry of Food launched a rodent publicity campaign in the national and local press.
Posters were also displayed throughout the Borough urging every person seeing a rat to report the fact to the Town
Hall or nearest wardens' post. As a result 51 reports were received and dealt with.
On the 1st October, 1943, two rat-catchers were employed for duty under the Infestation Order, 1943. Both receive
an inclusive wage of £5 per week, and work under the supervision of the Council's Rodent Officer.
The following is a summary of the work done during 1943 : 293 complaints were received and 60 fopd and 226 other
premises were found to be infested. Of the 60 food premises, 33 were shops and 27 hotels and restaurants ; the 226
other premises included 166 dwelling houses, 43 shops. 17 stores, warehouses and factories. Ratproofing was carried
out in 104 premises. The chief methods employed for the extermination of rats were poison baiting and trapping.
Among the main sources of infestation were sewers and drains damaged as a result of enemy action, and bombed sites
with their collection of debris. Preventive measures taken in this connection included the inspection of 579 premises
and the sealing off of 96 sewer connections.
Dog Nuisance.—Contravention of the bye-law relating 'to the fouling of footways by dogs was detected by police
officers in three cases, in all of which, following prosecution, convictions were secured and penalties imposed. The total
number, of prosecutions since the bye-law came into operation in 1928 is 301, the amount of fines imposed being
£112 6s. Od.
Mosquitoes.—Nine complaints of mosquitoes were received. In one instance stagnant water in the basement of a
bomb-damaged building was found to be the source of a troublesome biting species (culex molestus). The nuisance in
the remaining cases was traced to breeding in emergency water tanks. Larvicidal treatment given in every
instance proved effective.
Pigeons.—Five complaints of nuisance from these birds (four relating to private dwellings and one to a church) were
dealt with. A contractor was employed, with satisfactory results, to reduce the number of pigeons in serious cases.
Noise.—-Eleven complaints of noise were received. Two were concerned with wireless loudspeakers, and in each
instance the issue of a notice was necessary to obtain a remedy of the nuisance. Noisy dogs were the subject of two
complaints, and in one case the owner was prosecuted and fined £1 and ordered to pay £3 costs for permitting the
nuisance to continue after notice by three householders. Other complaints referred to such diverse causes as tenants
of a flat, children, restaurant customers, members of a club, crowing cocks, crickets, and machinery.
Poisons.—Traders whose names were on the Council's list of persons entitled to sell poisons included in Part II of
the Poisons List (Pharmacy and Poisons Acts, 1852 to 1941) numbered 79.
Factories.—The number of registered factories was 1,292. Frequent inspections were carried out, and conditions
were remedied in 24 instances (want of cleanliness 4 ; insufficient or unsuitable sanitary conveniences 12 ; other
defects 8). Outworkers lists were received from 63 employers and concerned 225 contractors and 511 workpeople.
Civil Defence.—Miscellaneous visits by the sanitary inspectors in connection with civil defence activities not referred
to elsewhere in this report numbered 237 and included visits relating to maintenance of first-aid posts.