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
Sutton and Cheam 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton and Cheam]
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RODENT CONTROL
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949
A. Surface Treatments
(1) 6375 visits were made during the year by the Rodent Operator and
748 by the Public Health Inspectors to premises infested or possibly
harbouring rats or mice.
408 premises were cleared of rats or mice and no major infestations
were recorded.
(2) The work for the year is generally summarised as under:-
Complaints received or cases discovered and investigated 478
Number of premises found to be infested 411
Number of premises where no evidence of rodents found 67
Number of premises cleared of rats or mice (including 28
previous year's cases) 408
Number of premises still being treated at the year end 31
(3) The cause or site of infestation at the 411 infested premises was:-
Keeping of poultry 2
Inside premises (under floors etc.)-rats 19
Inside premises (under floors etc.)-mice 26
Buries, scrapes, etc., in gardens, land, etc. 239
Under or inside sheds 122
Defective drains 3
Total 411
(4) Type of premises found to be infested:-
| With Rats | With Mice | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council Property | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Dwelling-houses | 347 | 9 | 356 |
| Business premises, etc. | 11 | 12 | 23 |
| Schools, Hospitals, Canteens etc. | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Land | 15 | - | 15 |
| Total | 385 | 26 | 411 |
(5) Summary of the type of premises and methods employed in clearing
premises of rats and mice:-
Type of premises cleared-
Dwelling-houses (mainly in gardens) 349
Food shops and food premises 14
Non-food shops
Waste Land and building sites 15
Hospitals and Schools 7
Factories and Workplaces 6
Council Premises (other than dwellings) 11
Miscellaneous 5
Total 408
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