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
Tottenham 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
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31
As an example of what has been done, I quote the case of a Knacker's
Yard, and also the railway embankment surrounding these premises. Here,
92 points were poison baited on the Knacker's Yard premises, with an
estimated kill of 1,485 rats. The operators were in fact shovelling the dead
rats into sacks. 240 points were also poison baited on the railway embankment,
and a kill of 1,590 was estimated.
In addition to the block control scheme, two further maintenance
treatments of the Corporation sewers were also carried out, making the
fourth and fifth since the first treatment in 1943; the 5th treatment running
concurrently with the block control scheme as previously stated.
Table Showing Number of Treatments.
| Fourth Treatment. | Fifth Treatment. | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of manholes with small poison takes | 139 | 272 |
| Number of manholes with good poison takes | 100 | 196 |
| Number of manholes with complete poison takes | 152 | 2 |
| Number of manholes with no poison take | 327 | 559 |
| Number of manholes not poison-baited | 395 | 84 |
| Totals | 1,113 | 1,113 |
| Estimated number of rats killed | 3,926 | 2,580 |
| Dwelling-houses and Business Premises. | ||
| Number of dwelling-houses treated, apart from the special scheme | 554 | |
| Number of business premises treated, where a charge was made (including special scheme) | 53 | |
| Total charges for business premises | £37 | 6s. 4d. |
Food Premises.
The inspection and control of food premises used for the purpose
of sale and manufacture, etc., of foodstuffs, has been carried out
with the utmost diligence. There are now numerous small cafes
and restaurants in the Borough, and it must be admitted that many
of them are not in all respects suitable for this purpose.
Regular inspections are an important feature in the control of
these premises, and a large measure of improvement in conditions
has been brought about by informal action.
The shortage of building labour and materials is having its
effect on the work of the department in dealing with Dairies. It is
realised that the resources of the building industry are fully engaged
in its many phases of providing additional housing accommodation,
and therefore we must needs curb our impatience before any large
scale improvements can be carried out to bring dairy premises up to
the desired state of perfection.