View report page

20
owners and 4 upon occupiers of verminous dwellings, mostly for general cleansing
and repairs.
The children reported by the School Authorities as suffering from scabies
numbered 56, of whom 30 were males and 26 females. In 4 cases the addresses
were erroneous. As a result of the enquiries made by the Sanitary Officers 5 other
cases came under observation. As far as practicable steps were taken to prevent
the spread of infection. There is a marked decrease in the number of scabies cases
noted as compared with the figure for 1922
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ACT, 1919.
The following is a summary indicating the work done by the Rat Officer with
a view to giving effect to the provisions of the above-mentioned Act:—
Number of complaints (rats) 260
„ „ (mice) 26
,, visits 6,175
„ rats caught in traps or killed by dogs 1,186
„ rats found dead through poisoning 211
„ premises cleared of rats 276
„ premises cleared of mice 20
„ of pavements taken up, fronting houses 36
,, drains reconstructed 42
„ drains tested by Sanitary Inspectors 66
„ floors of kitchens, sculleries, passages and coal
cellars concreted 54
The poisons used included 3,369 packets of Ratquit, which provided some
66,950 baits, 33 lbs. of Londovus, 347 tins of Rodine, and 391 of Rondovus. Experience
shows that variation in the poisoned baits used is very frequently necessary.
The rat-infested localities in the Borough did not differ materially from those of the
previous year.
HOUSING.
The special house-to-house inspection of the dwelling-houses is referred to on
p. 18. See also pp. 66 and 67 (Appendix).
The London County Council have the matter of the Ware Street Area in hand,
but progress is not so far apparent. The great difficulty to be overcome is the
provision of alternate housing accommodation for the people displaced. It is
understood that as soon as it is possible for such accommodation to be provided the
execution of the work to give effect to the scheme approved will be commenced. It
is hoped that this will take place now at an early date and that during the current
year substantial progress will be made.