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
Chislehurst 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chislehurst]
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42
RODENT CONTROL.
There has been a decrease in the rat population of the district.
It is difficult entirely to account for this, but factors which may
have brought it about include the flooding in 1958, and better
techniques in the destruction of the rodents. The comparative
freedom of the sewers from rats may be a condition influencing the
decrease in surface infestation. It may also be that the prevalence
or otherwise of these vermin, is in part, due to some natural cycle.
The future will give a better indication of these trends.
In the meantime it has been found possible to dispense with
the services of one of the two Rodent Operatives.
The following is a summary of the work carried out:—
| TYPE OF PROPERTY | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Local Authority | (2) Dwellings (including Council Houses) | (3) Others Business (inc. L.A. Business) | (4) Agricultural | (6) Total | ||
| II. | No. of properties inspected as a result of:— | |||||
| (a) Notification (Complaints, etc.) | 1 | 273 | 22 | 2 | 298 | |
| (b) Survey under Act (Visits as a result of (a), etc.) | 2 | 380 | 10 | - | 392 | |
| (c) Otherwise (e.g., visits primarily for other purpose) | - | 3 | - | - | 3 | |
| III. | Total inspections carried out | 17 | 267 | 86 | 1 | 371 |
| IV. | No. of properties inspected (in Sect. II) found infested: | - | - | - | - | - |
| (a) Rats (Major) | — | 9 | 1 | — | 10 | |
| (Minor) | 2 | 396 | 16 | 2 | 416 | |
| (b) Mice (Major) | 1 | 7 | 9 | — | 17 | |
| (Minor) | - | - | - | - | - | |
| V. | No. of infested properties (in Sect. IV.) treated by L.A | 3 | 406 | 26 | 3 | 438 |
| VI. | Total treatments — including re-treatment and those carried out privately to properties | 4 | 406 | 26 | 3 | 438 |
| VII | No. of notices (verbal or written) under Section 4: | |||||
| (a) Treatment | — | 6 | 1 | — | 7 | |
| (b) Structural (e.g., proofing) | — | 11 | 1 | — | 12 | |
| X. | No. of "Block" control schemes carried out | - | 7 | - | - | 7 |
SEWER INFESTATION.
As mentioned above the very minor infestation of sewers
indicates a pleasing position. The test bait carried out in the
Spring revealed the presence of rats in only 5% of manholes
investigated. Traces of rodents were found in but three manholes
during the second of the annual maintenance treatments in October.