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
Edmonton 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
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| Type of Property. | Properties Inspected. | No. of Inspections | Notices Served. | Treatment Completed. | Block Treatments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hats. | Mice. | |||||
| 174 | .. | 1 | .. | |||
| 1,735 | .. | 415 | 87 | .. | ||
| 49 | .. | 13 | .. | |||
| 1,792 | 5,270 | .. | 431 | .. | ||
During the year maintenance treatments of the sewers took place by the
Borough Engineer's Department, and I am indebted to the Borough Engineer
for the following report: —
Rat Destruction in Sewers,
The 12th Maintenance treatment was completed on 23rd January, 1953,
and the 13th Maintenance treatment was carried out from 20th April to 7th
July. The 14th Maintenance treatment commenced on 9th November and
will be completed early in 1954.
The results of the last four treatments can be summarised as follows: —
| No. of Treatment | No. of M.H.s Baited | Prebait Takes (Total) | Prebait Takes (Complete) | Poison Takes (Total) | Bodies seen | Poison used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1,040 | 481 | 244 | 461 | 81 | Zinc Phosphide |
| 11 | 1,096 | 495 | 210 | 467 | 23 | Arsenious Oxide |
| 12 | 1,122 | 547 | 533 | 46 | Zinc Phosphide | |
| 13 | 1,132 | 559 | 249 | 423 | Arsenious Oxide |
These results—which extend over two years, appear to be fairly uniform
and seem to show that the rat population in the sewers is being held at a
stationary level, that is, neither increasing or decreasing. This is in accordance
with observations made by Ministry Officials with regard to returns
made throughout the country.
I would advise the continuance of treatment of the whole system of foul
water sewers, as the untreated areas may encourage infestation by migration.
Middlesex County Council Act, 1950, Section II.
Section II of this Act, which relates to Hawkers of Food and their
Premises, came into operation on the 1st of April. 1951.
No persons or premises were registered during the year, and no persons
were registered to trade in the Borough where storage premises are located
in other districts.
There were 125 hawkers on the Register at the end of 1953.
Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Acts 1920-1933.
During the year no certificates under the above Acts were issued.
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