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1934] 66
One of the private schools was found on inspection to be far from satisfactory
as regards sanitary standard, and a number of visits had to be made and a notice
served before effectual improvement was obtained. This school will probably
require supervision for a while to ensure that effective cleanliness is maintained.
RATS AND MICE (DESTRUCTION) ACT, 1919.
(9 and 10 Geo. 5, Ch. 72.)
From the 10th to 15th November in Islington, 2,000 handbills were distributed
through the medium of the Sanitary Inspectors in the course of the district visitation,
by the Health Visitors, and from the Enquiry Office, Public Health Department, at
the Town Hall.
This year the Rat Week poster used was varied, inasmuch as the one issued by
the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries was adopted, being overprinted with the
address from which information could be obtained, viz.:—Public Health Department,
Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N.l. It was considered best to use the large
poster, as it is the best size for our notice boards. The various boards which the
department possess, which are attached to the railings of the open spaces and gardens
in the borough, were utilised for the propaganda. As a consequence of the
propaganda this year, it was noticed that immediately after Rat Week there was an
increase of callers for information—even above the week itself, and an increased
sale of Rat Poison.
As has been done in former years transparencies announcing Rat Week were
exhibited at the Town Hall.
At this time a problem in the tracing of rats of more than usual difficulty was
before the Public Health Department. A complaint had been received of a basement
being infected by rats in October. This resulted in inspection being made and
evidence of rats being found, rugs and food eaten, floor boards and plaster gnawed
through in places. The owner, when communicated with, issued instructions to a
builder to carry out necessary work. Tests were put down to trace the runs but these
proved unsuccessful as the runs were so numerous, and owing to the vast floor space
under the floors were lost. The stone floor was opened up and an old six inch drain
was found. This old disused drain was filled with concrete to a depth of three feet.
An interesting feature in the work at these particular premises was the fact that
they were occupied by a retired professional photographer, and when the problem
of tracing the rats was eventually solved, being proved to be due to the old drain
referred to and which had never been properly closed in and which allowed rats to
enter from the sewer, he, of his own accord, took photographs of the actual conditions
found. The ultimate solving of the problem in this case was arrived at by the wellknown
method of a bait attached to twine on a spool, the food being carried into the
nest.
During the year 1934 the number of notices served was 101. The following Table
summarises the work under the Act during the years 1927 to 1934.