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
Wimbledon 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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SECTION F. — RODENT CONTROL,
PETROLEUM STORAGE, ETC.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949.
The following table gives a statement indicating the action taken during 1956.
| Type of Property | Number of Properties inspected as a result of: | Number of Properties found to be infested by: | Treatment carried out by Department | Total Number of Inspections made | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notification | Otherwise | Total | Rats | Mice | Rats | Mice | ||
| Local Authority | 3 | 17 | 20 | 5 | - | 5 | - | 4823 |
| Private Premises | 222 | 520 | 742 | 132 | 32 | 97 | 12 | |
| All other including Business Premises | 37 | 240 | 277 | 35 | 20 | 34 | 17 | |
| Totals | 262 | 777 | 1039 | 172 | 52 | 136 | 29 | 4823 |
The inspection and treatment of sewers, and of the Corporation's
Depots, etc., was undertaken in conjunction with the Borough Surveyor's
Department, and details are not included in the figures given above.
The Public Health Department continued to undertake the routine
disinfestation of schools and school canteens administered by the County
Council within the Borough, as and when necessary, on a contract basis.
During 1956 no legal action was required to be taken under the
provisions of the Act, and this is an indication of the co-operation
received from householders and business people.
PETROLEUM (CONSOLIDATION) ACT, 1928.
62 licences were issued by the Department to store petroleum spirit
during 1956, and the total quantity of petroleum spirit stored was
106,633 gallons. In addition, 17 licences were issued to store petroleum
mixtures involving a total of 550 gallons, and 3 licences were issued in
respect of the storage of a total of 4,692 lbs. of calcium carbide.
220 visits were made to premises under the provisions of the
Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928.
PET ANIMALS ACT, 1951.
9 licences to keep pet shops were issued by the Department during
1956. 15 visits were made to these premises and various infringements
of the conditions of licence were rectified.
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