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 1964
[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) 4800 visits were made during the year by the Rodent Operator and
634 by the Public Health Inspectors to premises infested or possibly
harbouring rats or mice.
409 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 481
Number of premises found to be infested 412
Number of premises where no evidence of rodents found 69
Number of premises cleared of rats or mice (including 31
previous year's cases) 409
Number of premises still being treated at the year end 34
(3) The cause or site of infestation at the 412 infested premises was:-
Keeping of poultry
Inside premises (under floors etc.) - rats 23
Inside premises (under floors etc.) - mice 27
Buries, scrapes, etc., in gardens, land, etc 207
Under or inside sheds 154
Defective drains 1
TOTAL 412
(4) Type of premises found to be infested:-
| With Rats | With Mice | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council Property | 9 | - | 9 |
| Dwelling-Houses | 342 | 9 | 351 |
| Business premises etc | 17 | 14 | 31 |
| Schools, Hospitals, Canteens, etc. | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Land | 14 | - | 14 |
| TOTAL | 384 | 28 | 412 |
(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) 353
Food shops and food premises 13
Non-food shops 4
Waste Land and building sites 13
Hospitals and Schools 6
Factories and Workplaces 5
Council Premises (other than dwellings) 8
Miscellaneous 7
44
TOTAL 409