London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Barking 1953

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]

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total weight 17,343 tons. There was in addition 50,630 tons of refuse
received from other Boroughs at the Corporation tip.
The tip at Jenkins Lane was closed in May and a new tip was
opened at Renwick Road. This new tip will provide accommodation
for about 20 years tipping. Permanent buildings for personnel and
equipment are to be erected.
Disposal was carried out at both tips in accordance with the
provisions of the Essex County Council Act, 1933 (Third Schedule).
CONTROL OF PESTS.
(a) ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
It is with much pleasure that I am able to report a continuing
decrease in the number of bug infested premises. Seventeen such
premises with minor infestations required action.
Fourteen of these properties, which were treated with insecticide,
are owned by the Corporation.
(b) FLY NUISANCE.
The seasonal treatment of vacant lands, refuse tips, piggeries,
stables, fishmongers and butchers premises was continued during the
warm weather with satisfactory results.
The Borough experienced a minor seaweed fly (Coelopa frigida)
infestation it three factory premises using tri-chlor-ethylene. Remedial
measures were taken by your officers and the infestation was brought
to an end with the application of gammexane by the mobile spraying
unit of the Corporation.
The annual cost of this fly prevention service remains at £150.
(c) PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949.
RODENT CONTROL IN SEWERS.

The half-yearly treatments of sewers were carried out during the months of May and November, the results being as follows :—

MayNovember
Number of manholes baited400397
Number showing bait take170193
Number showing complete bait take6681

Prior to the May treatment test baiting was carried out throughout
the more recently developed areas of the Borough where only minor
evidence of infestation has hitherto been found, with the following
result
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