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

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Beckenham 1944

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]

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Table: Rat Repression—Churchfields Depot.Summary of Operations for Rat Repression, conducted at the Churchfields Depot from the 29th October to the 8th November,1944.

Rat Repression—Churchfields Depot.

Summary of Operations for Rat Repression, conducted at the Churchfields Depot from the 29th October to the 8th November,

1944.

First Operation Prebait—Sausage Rusk. Pcison-Zinc Phosphide. Postbait—Bread Mash. 29th Oct. to 3rd Nov., 1944 (inclusive).Second Operation Prebait—Bread Mash. Poison-Barium Carbinate Postbait—Sausage Rusk 3rd Nov. to 8th Nov., 1944 (inclusive)
No. of Points baited1st day (sound bait)160160
No. of Full Takes1180
No. oi Good Takes88
No. of Small Takes214
No. of No Takes32138
160160
No. of Points baited4th day (sound bait)160160
No. of Full Takes1230
No. of Good Takes02
No. of Small Takes028
No. of No Takes37130
160160
Minimum No. of ratsfeeding 4th day16422
No. of Points baited
5th" day (poison bait)135 .160
No. of Full Takes100
No. of Gpod Takes32ft
No. of Small Takes7017
No. of No Takes23143
135160
No. of Dead Rats found...657
No. of Rats estimated killed43543
No. of Points baited6th day (sound bait)160160
No. of Full Takes00
No. of Good Takes80
No. of Small Takes148
No. oi No Takes138152
160160
Minimum No. of ratsfeeding on 6th day206

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Advice and supplies of rusk and poison are now being provided
for the public and if the directions are carefully observed equally
good results can be obtained. There is great need for public interest
and action in this matter. Individuals can rid their premises if they
will take the trouble. With the present difficulty of getting staff the
department cannot undertake work at private properties.
The practice now in force of dumping house refuse instead of
burning it is likely to provide breeding grounds for rats and these
dumps will need to be watched and preventive action taken.
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