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 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chislehurst]
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46
SEWER INFESTATION.
It is recognised that sewers, especially the older ones, often
harbour rats, where they may feed and breed undisturbed. This
may well serve as a "reservoir" for surface infestation. Hence
an annual "test bait" is taken in about 10% of the sewer manholes,
and this is followed by half yearly treatments of section of system,
where evidence of rats was revealed.
The degree of infestation in sewers as indicated by the "Takes"
of bait recorded during treatments, shows a higher level than in
the two previous years.
Details are as follow:—
| Number of Manholes treated | No. of manholes in which | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Complete takes" | "Partial takes" | "No takes" | ||
| Test bait | 215 | 17 | 58 | 140 |
| 1st Maintenance Treatment (April) | 205 | 16 | 78 | 111 |
| 2nd Maintenance Treatment (Oct.) | 171 | 23 | 56 | 92 |
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA.
Total number of
Inspections and Visits
Housing 5,399
Infectious Diseases 128
Food Premises, Sampling, etc. 3,182
Factories, Outworkers, etc. 318
Moveable Dwellings 431
Smoke Abatement 185
Shops Act 457
Rodent Control 1,174
Public Conveniences 876
Petroleum Acts 145
Miscellaneous 632
12,927
Written Notices issued:—
Preliminary:
General Sanitary Defects 155
Food Premises 48
Shop Premises 14
Factories, etc. 6
Rodent Control 10
Clean Air Act Notices 4
Diseases of Animals (Waste Food)
Order, 1957 1
Agricultural (Safety, Health and Welfare)
Provisions Act, 1956 2
Statutory:
Public Health Act 10