View report page

90
Disinfection after infectious or contagious disease was carried
out in
1,869 rooms at 1,243 houses.
16 classrooms at 12 schools.
2 huts.
4 hospital wards.
1 motor car.
Cleansing of Verminous Persons, etc.
During the year six adults and 19 children were cleansed for
verminous conditions, 2 adults and 10 children for scabies, and one
adult after contact with infectious disease.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
The rat catcher is a permanent member of the staff.
Rats are destroyed by the following methods:—Dogs, ferrets,
poison baits, and rat varnish smeared on cardboard.
Close co-operation is maintained between the rat catcher and
the sanitary inspectors. So far as the general duties of the Rat
Catcher are concerned, it should be mentioned that at each of his
visits to premises in connection with the infestation of rats or mice
a superficial inspection is made to ascertain whether there is any
condition for which action could be taken, not only under the
above Act, but under any other Act which the Public Healh
Department can enforce.
During these visits, on many occasions, drains have been
found to be choked, and in some instances smoke tests have been
applied to drains to ascertain whether rat holes communicated with
them or otherwise.
The keeping of swill, offal, or other refuse on food premises is
also specially reported upon by him so that proper galvanised iron
receptacles with tight-fitting covers can be insisted upon—this not
only prevents feeding places for the rats, but it also facilitates the
removal of the refuse from the premises and prevents nuisances
from arising.
Improperly stored food supplies also receive attention, so that
food stored in premises on the floor level can be pointed out to the
persons concerned as being unsatisfactory and suggestions made
that a sufficient space should be left around and below the food to
allow a dog or cat to gain access in pursuit of vermin.