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 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
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2. Measures of Control.
| Type of Property. | Properties Inspected. | No. of Inspections | Notices Served. | Treatment Completed. | Block Treatments. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rats. | Mice. | |||||
| Local Authority's Premises | 35 | 199 | .. | 6 | 1 | .. |
| Dwelling Houses | 2,991 | 5,550 | .. | 422 | 67 | .. |
| Business Premises | 145 | 352 | .. | 10 | 17 | .. |
| Total | 3,171 | 6,101 | .. | 438 | 85 | .. |
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,
Since the report of 1953 the 14th, 15th and 16th Maintenance Treatments
have been carried out.
The following summary shows the results of treatment Nos. 10 to 16:—
| Commencement Date | No. of Treatment | No. of M.Hs. Baited | Prebait Takes (Total) | Prebait Takes (Complete) | Poison Takes (Total) | Bodies seen | Poison used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct., 1951 | 10 | 1.096 | 481 | 244 | 461 | 81 | Zinc Phosphide |
| Apr., 1952 | 11 | 1,122 | 495 | 210 | 467 | 23 | Arsenius Oxide |
| Oct., 1952 | 12 | 1,132 | 547 | 266 | 533 | 46 | Zinc Phosphide |
| Apr., 1953 | 13 | 800 | 559 | 249 | 423 | 28 | Arsenius Oxide |
| Nov., 1953 | 14 | 1,139 | 703 | 298 | 677 | 73 | Zinc Phosphide |
| Apr.. 1954 | 15 | 966 | 618 | 240 | 573 | 12 | Arsenius Oxide |
| Nov., 1954 | 16 | 1,075 | 521 | 260 | 518 | 62 | Zinc Phosphide |
The percentage of prebait takes to number of manholes baited is as
follows:—
Treatment No. 10 43.88%
„ 11 44.11%
„ 12 48.32%
„ 13 69.87%
„ 14 61.72%
„ 15 64.00%
„ 16 48.47%
The results of 3½ years of treatments continue to show that the rat
population of the sewers remains fairly stationary.
In order to prevent increase in the rat population, I would advise carrying
on with the treatment of the whole system of sewers as at present.
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.
One person and premises were registered during the year. No persons
were registered to trade in the Borough where storage premises are located
in other districts.
There were 126 hawkers on the Register at the end of 1954.
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