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" The Board have accordingly, in pursuance of their powers for the
" prevention of epidemic diseases, issued an Order, copies of which are
" enclosed, authorising the local authority to take measures for the
" destruction of rats and for preventing their entrance into buildings and
" other premises.
" The Board are glad to learn that in many localities active steps are
" being taken by owners and occupiers for the extermination of rats.
" They trust that these steps will not be abated, and that all individuals
" will do their utmost to co-operate with and assist the local authorities
" in carrying out the Regulations.
" The Order refers not only to the destruction of rats but to the
" prevention of their entrance into buildings and other premises.
" Inasmuch as the . risk of infection from Plague-stricken rats arises
" mainly through fleas, it is obviously to the interest of all persons to do
" what they can to prevent their entry into dwellings, and to remove
" from the proximity of dwellings accumulations of material or rubbish
" which may harbour them. In this way as well as by action by the
" local authority under the Regulations, much may be done to further
" the object in view. Copies of a Memorandum on Plague which has
" been prepared by the Board's Medical Officer will be forwarded in
" a day or two."
" Memorandum.
" Article I.—The expression " Distinct" means the district of a
" local authority.
" Article II.—In any district in which a representation is made to
" the local authority, that rats in the district are infected or threatened
" with Plague, or that there is an unusual mortality among rats in the
" district, the local authority shall report the matter to us, and shall
" take measures :—
" (a) for the destruction of all rats in the district ; and
" (6) for preventing the entrance of rats into buildings and other
" premises in the district.
" Article III.—For the purposes of these Regulations the local
" authority may appoint such additional officers or servants as they may
" deem necessary, and may delegate to such officers or servants any
" powers under these Regulations.
" Article IV.—The expenses incurred by a local authority in the
" execution of these Regulations, shall be defrayed by the local authority
" as part of their expenses in the execution of the Public Health
" (London) Act, 1891."