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years. The Ministry of Health directed attention, in a Circula
dated June, 1944, to the effect that the amount of dry rot in
domestic buildings is greatly on the increase. The reasons for the
increase include:—
(1) Alterations of buildings for A.R.P. precautions, such as
sandbagging, which caused walls to become damp. Closing
of sub-floor ventilators because of the danger of gas, and
the introduction of timber strutting into damp basements.
(2) General neglect of upkeep, owing to shortage of labour and
materials.
(3) War damage, admitting damp into buildings.
(4) The absence of owners and tenants of properties.
Dry rot means the decay of timber in buildings, caused by
ertain fungi. The growth of the fungus is rapid, and the results are
requently alarming. Local Authorities are asked to pay particular
ttention to this nuisance. Remedial action was speedily introduced
in all cases coming to our notice.
INSECT PESTS.
24 complaints were received relating to Insect Pests. These
were received during the warmer months of the year, and, in many
cases, ants were the insects responsible. An invasion by ants does
not constitute a statutory nuisance, but nevertheless, helpful advice
is given where possible. It cannot be doubted how great is the effect
of such an invasion upon the nerves of the housewife, a fact which
makes it the more remarkable to record that no single instance of a
specific complaint of a fly nuisance was received during the year,
that this pest flourished in ever-increasing numbers during the
warmer seasons was very evident. With the release of the
Insecticide D.D.T. for general use, special attention will be paid in
the coming months to its effect in fly-infested restaurant kitchens,
and places used for food preparation.
ANIMALS KEPT SO AS TO BE A NUISANCE.
9 instances were reported of animals kept so as to be a nuisance.
These complaints were in all cases justified, and in the main arose
through the over-zealous animal lover whose home becomes a
harbourage for any number of creatures falling into the category of
domestic pets. Tactful approach to these kindly souls was usually
successful, although in one or two instances, where sterner action
was necessary, the Inspector was accused of being a person cruel to
animals.
MILK BOTTLES.
2 complaints were received of the presence of foreign bodies in
bottles of milk. In one case it was found that a margarine wrapper,
tightly folded, was floating in the milk. It had obviously been
placed there by a previous user of the bottle, and the bottle-washing
machine had failed to dislodge the wrapper. In the second case, the
foreign bodies appeared to be a form of insect. Specimens sent to
the British Museum for identification, brought the following reply:—
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