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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
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The Divisional Rodent Officer, at the last district meeting, hinted that
before long the method of treatment might be altered to direct-poisoning,
using "1080
This method has been used by the Corporation of London, who claim a
decided reduction in the rat population of the sewers.
If this method is adopted, the work should be carried out by a specialist
firm, and it is anticipated that a saving in cost would be achieved, in addition
to relieving the labour shortage problem.
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.
Two persons 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 108 hawkers on the Register at the end of 1956.
The following table gives some idea of the work carried out: —
| Number of journeys to collect bedding and Spray Verminous premises | 410 |
| „ ,, ,, ,, return bedding | 243 |
| Rooms disinfected after infectious disease | 173 |
| „ „ „ phthisis | 21 |
| ,, ,, ,, other cases | 47 |
| ,, ,, ,, „ vermin | 285 |
| Bedding, clothing, etc., disinfected after infectious disease | 1.113 articles |
| ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, phthisis | 80,, |
| ,, ,, „ „ „ other cases | 589 ,, |
| ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, vermin | 462 „ |
The Council distribute a disinfecting powder and fluid to residents who
apply for same at the Town Hall Yard. During the year, the applicants
numbered 10.737. 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 797.
44 Council properties and 69 other houses were found to be
infested; the total number of rooms disinfested was 285. The whole of the
work is carried out by the Department, the materials used being insecticides
containing D.D.T. as a base.
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