London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kingston upon Thames 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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During the year eighteen drainage defects were "brought
to light by inspections following complaints of rodent infestation.
The department has continued to co-operate with the
Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
at Tolworth and recognition of our assistance to it has been
mentioned three times in bulletins issued by the Ministry.
Rodent Control - Statistical Statement. 1959.
Private Dwellings and Corporation Property.
| Rats. | Mice. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of complaints received in office | 104 | 23 | 127 |
| No. of premises inspected as a result | 275 | 43 | 318 |
| No. of premises found to be infested | 135 | 43 | 178 |
| No. of separate infestations treated | 155 | 43 | 198 |
| No. of visits for treatment and reinspections | 913 | 125 | 1,038 |
| No. of premises treated by occupier or other agency | 4 | - | 4 |
| No. of poison baits deposited | 421 |
Business and Factory Premises.
| Rats | . Mice. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of complaints received in office | 10 | 17 | 27 |
| No. of premises inspected, including those under Service Agreement | 95 | 135 | 230 |
| No. of premises in which slight infestations were found | 60 | 121 | 181 |
| No. of separate infestations treated | 363 | 407 | |
| No. of visits for treatment and inspections | 844 | 1,833 | 2,677 |
| No. of premises treated by occupier or other agency | 16 | 13 | 29 |
| No. of poison baits deposited | 1,878 |
Summary.
No. of complaints received 154
No. of premises inspected 548
No. of premises infested 359
No. of separate infestations
treated 605
No. of visits 3,715
No. of premises treated by
occupier or other agency 33
No. of poison baits deposited 2,299
Insect Pest Control.
The department carried out control and maintenance treatments
in all types of premises. During the year requests were received
to deal with infestations which involved the following insects:
ants, cockroaches, carpet beetles, fruit flies, flour moths, clothes
moths, mosquitoes, woodworm and house flies.
Three cases were reported of large swarms of fruit flies
which caused both nuisance and damage. Two infestations were treated
by the department, and in the third instance, where a large industrial
undertaking was infested, the management were advised upon the
methods to be adopted to effect a clearance.