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The report from the Chief Officer, Public Control Department, County
Council of Middlesex, is as follows:—
"During the year the Council's Inspector of Rat Destruction paid
216 visits to rat-infested premises in Edmonton, and the work of rat
destruction was continued by the County rat-catchers throughout the
year at your Council's Sewage Farm and Refuse Dump."
The Inspectors of the Public Health Department often examine the
drainage of premises where it might be possible that the infestation is due
to the defective house drainage system.
Smoke Abatement.
Considering the large number of factories in the Borough it is rarely
necessary to employ any legal pressure as to smoke nuisance.
Forty-eight observations were made during the year and six cautions
were administered.
Disinfection and Disinfestation.
The following table gives some idea of the work carried out:—
Number of journeys to collect bedding 288
,, ,, ,, return ,, 275
Rooms disinfected after infectious disease 713
,, ,, ,, Phthisis 191
,, ,, ,, Cancer 32
Disinfestation carried out for vermin 228
Number of articles (bedding, clothing, etc.) disinfected
after infectious disease 3,267
Ditto after Phthisis 841
Ditto after other illnesses 471
Articles of bedding, etc., destroyed 132
The Council distribute a disinfectant powder and fluid to residents who
apply for the same at the Town Hall yard. During the year the applicants
numbered 35,215, an increase of nearly 3,000 over last year. One hour daily
is allowed for such distribution with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays.
A Formalin Chamber is used for the disinfection of books, leather
goods, etc.—articles that would be damaged by steam. The number of
books and other articles thus disinfected was 297.
In 1936 the Council agreed to the supply of Izal in half-pint tins to
those applicants who desired it in lieu of the disinfectant fluid above
referred to. Very little advantage was taken of this service, as only 318
applicants availed themselves of this disinfectant.
Again there was a slight decrease in the number of cases of disinfestation
for vermin, and it is to be hoped that this decrease will be maintained.
Ten Council Houses and 121 other houses were found to be infested
and the total number of rooms disinfested was 228, which includes 13
houses from which families were rehoused in Council houses—the disinfestation
being carried out prior to removal.
The whole of the work is carried out by the Department, the materials
used being Block Disinfestators combined with the use of Insecticides such
as Pyagra, etc.
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