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
Walthamstow 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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34
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ACT, 1919
AND INFESTATION ORDER, 1943
(a) Rat repression was actively pursued during the year.
The Sanitary Inspectors act in technical and supervisory capacity
and operative treatment is carried out by the Council's trained Rat
Catchers.
(b) Local Authority Circular N .S.12—Special Inspection of District.
The Council participated in the Ministry of Food's house to
house scheme and received a financial grant towards the cost of the
special work undertaken.
One temporary rodent operative was engaged to augment the
existing staff of two trained operatives.
The following is a summary of the work carried out to meet the
requirements of the Ministry : —
Eleven " suspected " areas in the district were chosen for
house-to-house visitation. In addition " spot checks " were carried
out in three roads chosen at random.
Statistics.
| Total number of investigations | 8,094 | |
| Ineffective Visits | 1,200 | |
| Premises reported clear | 6,386 | |
| Premises reported rat infested | 199 | |
| Premises reported mouse infested | 309 | |
| Premises requiring poison baiting | 116 | |
| Number of premises cleared by 1st treatment | 97 | |
| ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, 2nd ,, | 13 | |
| ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, 3rd ,, | 3 | |
| 113 |
The three remaining premises needed four, five and six
treatments respectively before being cleared.
Estimated kill of rats 600
RODENT OPERATIVES.
(c) The year's work of the Rodent Operatives is indicated below: —
| No. of Infestations | No. of Infestations Cleared. | Number reduced Major to Minor. | Estimated Kill. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treated | Retreated | ||||
| 530 | 132 | 510 | 4 | 5,000 | |