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infestation of its area and in particular pay special attention to efficient rodent
control in its sewers, refuse dumps refuse destructors and its other public service
properties, In this connection the Council's sewers were disinfested in April and October,
each treatment being of four to five weeks duration and involving some 1,000 odd manholes.
As a result of investigation of surface infestations by the Public Health Inspectorate it
was necessary to liaise with the Borough Engineer and Surveyor in regard to the repair of
drainage systems at 592 houses which had proved a source of infestation. Some 443 complaints
were received during the year concerning rodent infestation involving treatment
by rodent operatives of 366 private houses and 77 business premises. The total number of
visits in connection with these investigations and subsequent disinfestation amounted to
4.987.
In December the Chief Public Health Inspector reported to the Public Health Committee
concerning the carrying out of extensive block reatments against rodent infestation on
the banks of the River Lea near the Council's Pleasure Ground the Oliver Road Allotments,
the Council's Destructor Works and Marsh Lane Tip and the Dagenham Brook and surrounding
land. He made some general observations on the problem of rodent infestation in the area
concerned and reported upon his consultation with the Divisional Rodent Officer of the
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Pood in regard to difficulties connected therewith,
when it had been suggested that the use of hydrogen cyanide gas be adopted in dealing with
this problem. He stated that it was proposed subject to the approval of the Committee,
to arrange an extensive gassing treatment of the three mile length of the Dagenham Brook
(with the exception of the banks adjoining domestic and industrial property) and land
adjoining to be carried out during the winter period, and also reported upon his discussions
with the British Transport Commission-s Estate and Rating Surveyor about rodent
control on the Commission's land and railway sidings adjoining Dagenham Brook as a result
of which tentative arrangements had been made for the Disinfestation Section of the
Commission to carry out a block treatment of their land simultaneously with the proposed
gassing treatment so as to ensure the maximum amount of rodent destruction in the area as
a whole. The Public Health Committee authorized the use of hydrogen cyanide gas and the
area referred to was subsequently treated by gas as arranged.
The Chairman of the Public Health Committee Councillor F.W.Marshall and the Chief
Public Health Inspector continued to be the Council's representatives on the Workable
Area Committee set up by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food for rodent
controlsThe Committee, comprising some 11 neighbouring authorities meets about three
times per year and apart from discussing general methods of rodent control and forms of
treatment investigate the results of the simultaneous treatment of interconnected sewers
carried out bi annually by adjacent authorities.
FOOD HYGIENE
The detailed survey of the 1,500 odd premises in the Borough comprising shops,
clubs factories schools catering establishments staff and factory canteens, stalls,
etc., where food is prepared stored handled transported or sold, necessitated by the
introduction of the Food Hygiene Regulations which contain new provisions for securing
the observance of sanitary and hygienic practices in the food trades continued throughout
the year. It should be realised however that the success of a survey of this kind,
measured in the terms of improvements effected as a result of compliance with notices
served must depend largely upon the ability of the staff to carry out re-inspections on
a systematic basis. Such follow up procedure has been seriously curtailed because the
depleted Public Health Inspectorate were for the greater part of the year primarily
engaged on dealing with complaints applications for Certificates of Disrepair and other
matters which brook no delay. However inspite of staff difficulties some 1,438 visits to
food premises were made and some 80 odd notices in relation to such contraventions of the
Regulations as the provision of separate facilities for hand washing and for washing of
food and equipment provision of hot and cold water first aid kit locker accommodation,
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