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
Finchley 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finchley]
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RODENT CONTROL
| Premises from which complaints have been received | Premises where infestation was confirmed | Premises where infestation was not confirmed | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955/56 | 1954/55 | 1955/56 | 1954/55 | 1955/56 | 1954/55 | |
| Rats | 354 | 278 | 213 | 185 | 114 | 98 |
| Mice | 121 | 125 | 114 | 102 | 7 | 18 |
| Total | 475 | 403 | 327 | 287 | 121 | 116 |
T. Barlow, the Rodent Operator, left the Department in September,
1955, and his place has been taken by G. Christie who commenced
duties on 31st October, 1955. In January, 1956, he attended
a three-day course for operators organised by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries and he is now a very diligent worker.
The number of rate complaints has increased, but I am satisfied
that all the infestations are minor.
Arising from these complaints, 36 additional premises were
found to be infested with rats and 11 infested with mice.
At 58 premises infested with rats, poultry was being kept which
represented 23.29% of the infestations.
Smoke tests were applied to rat runs, and in cases where defects
in sewers or drains were revealed the necessary remedial work has
been carried out.
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