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 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finchley]
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| Premises from which complaints have been received | Premises where infestation was con finned | Premises where infestation was not confirmed | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4/58 to 31/3/59 | 1/4/51) to 31/ 12/51) | 1/4/58 to 31/3/59 | 1/4/59 to 31/12/59 | 1/4/58 to 31/3/59 | 1/4/59 to 31/12/59 | |
| Rats | 382 | 283 | 234 | 184 | 148 | 99 |
| Mice | 98 | 82 | 75 | 74 | 23 | 8 |
| Total | 480 | 365 | 309 | 258 | 171 | 107 |
It is 15 years since Rodent Control work was handed over to
Local Authorities by the County Council. During this period many
improved poisons have been discovered and new methods have come
into being with their use.
The diligent work carried out throughout the last 15 years is
undoubtedly keeping the rat population down to a low level and while
the number of complaints does not materially decrease, the size of the
infestations arc remarkably small.
Several occupiers of property in Friern Barnet Urban District
sent in written complaints of rats invading their property from the
Sewage Farm. Once again test baits were laid and no evidence of
such migration could be found. Each complainant was informed of
these findings.
Two hundred and thirty-seven additional premises were inspected
and, arising therefrom, 28 rat infestations and 3 infestations of mice
were found.
Seventeen smoke tests were applied to rat runs which revealed
defects in drains and/or sewers in 9 cases.
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