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The water was pumped out of the shelters, and the floors were
treated with sawdust impregnated with sump oil to prevent any
further breeding.
The discovery of the breeding ground and its appropriate
treatment soon effected a marked reduction in the number of
mosquitoes invading the houses, but it must be admitted that the
treatment of the breeding ground coincided with the period in the
year when breeding normally tends to fall off. Thanks are due
to Mr. Shute, Director of The Malaria Research Station, Horton
Hospital, Epsom, Surrey, for his valued assistance and advice in
dealing with the problem.
The second outbreak occurred in the Wembley Park Area and
Culex Molestus was identified as being responsible. In this
instance the mosquitoes were found to be breeding in the Wealdstone
Brook near a weir under a bridge. Under normal climatic
conditions this would probably not have happened but as a result
of a drought there was very little flow of water, with the result
that the mosquito eggs and larvae were not washed away. It is
perhaps a little ironical that during the past summer the Wealdstone
Brook had not for some time been so free from oil pollution
as compared with previous years, as a source of oil pollution had
been discovered and remedied. Had the oil pollution continued,
there is little doubt that mosquito breeding could not have taken
place. However, as soon as the breeding ground was discovered,
the rivers authority (the Middlesex County Council) were notified,
and prompt action was taken to kill the larvae by means of spraying
the surface of the water with oil. Very soon afterwards
the weather changed, and a substantial fall of rain brought about
a considerable flow of water in the Brook.
Both of these incidents entailed a very large number of visits
of investigation and many hours of work, although these remarks
apply more particularly to the first outbreak. The experience
gained in the first case enabled the second one to be dealt with
much more expeditiously.
7. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH
FOOD. Three prosecutions were instituted in connection with
the sale of food unfit for human consumption:-
Cigarette end in loaf of bread—firm fined £5 and 10/- costs.
Fly in loaf of bread—firm fined £5.
Nail in loaf of bread—firm fined £3 and 10/- costs.
In three instances legal proceedings were taken in respect of
the sale of milk in dirty milk bottles; fines of £5 and £5 5s. Od.
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