View report page

21
*
In practically all the cases reported the homes were visited by the Sanitary
Inspectors, and the following summarises the results obtained:—In 189 the rooms
occupied were satisfactory, varying from fairly clean to very clean, in 14 they were
dirty, in 8 buggy, and in 2 both dirty and buggy. In 186 the bedding was clean,
or fairly so, in 13 it was dirty, in 5 bugs were noticed, and in 9 it was both dirty and
buggy. In 6 instances more or less evidence of lice was observed in the bedding.
Where lice were present the bedding was also dirty and otherwise verminous. In
four of the houses evidence of poverty was marked. There were in addition to the
foregoing 5 cases in which the addresses were erroneous, and in some instances the
forms received related to non-residents in the Borough ; these were duly forwarded
to their proper destination.
Evidence of lice was found in the bedding in 2.8 per cent. of the cases investigated.
Arising out of the visits of the Sanitary Inspectors in connection with the cases
reported by the School Medical Officer some 14 sanitary notices were served upon
owners and 3 upon occupiers of verminous dwellings, mostly for general cleansing
and repairs.
The children reported by the School Authorities as suffering from Scabies
numbered 103, of whom 58 were males and 45 females. As a result of the enquiries
made by the Sanitary Officers 10 other cases came under observation. As far as
practicable steps were taken to prevent the spread of infection. There is a slight
decrease in the number of Scabies cases noted as compared with the figure for 1921.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ACT, 1919.
The following is a summary of the work resulting from visits by the Rat Officer
with a view to giving effect to the provisions of the above-mentioned Act:—
Number of complaints (rats) 298
„ (mice) 37
„ visits 6,262
„ rats caught in traps or killed by dogs 1,060
„ rats found dead through poisoning 180
„ premises cleared of rats 273
,, premises cleared of mice 25
,, of pavements taken up, fronting houses 58
,, drains reconstructed 47
„ drains tested by Sanitary Inspectors 70
„ floors of kitchens, sculleries, passages and coal
cellars concreted 90
Amount of Londovus used 67 lbs.
Rat-Quit used 4,019 packets.
Rodine used 396 tins.
Number of baits provided 94,955
Most of the rats caught in traps were males. As regards the localities in the
Borough which were infested, these do not differ materially from those of the previous
year.