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
City of London 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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(4) Measures taken for the detection of rat prevalence in ships and on shore:—
Examination by Inspectors.
(5) Rat.proofing:—
(a) Very steady rat.proofing of the docks and warehouses is in progress,
and has already led to a very marked reduction in the shore rat population
of the Port.
(b) Action taken to extend rat.proofing:—
(i.) The chief Shipping Companies using the Port of London have
been circulated as to the benefits and nature of rat.proofing
of ships.
(ii.) The Port of London Authority is fully alive to the importance
of rat.proofing of shore premises, and is carrying out a very full
programme of work in this direction.
Rats Destroyed during 1928. TABLE E. (1) On Vessels.
| Number of | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | April. | May. | June. | July. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Total in Year. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Eats | 1,219 | 875 | 1,084 | 920 | 1,306 | 1,659 | 406 | 495 | 1,195 | 571 | 575 | 1,118 | 11,423* |
| Brown Eats | |||||||||||||
| Bats examined | (See belo w.) | ||||||||||||
| Bats infected with Plague | (See below.) | ||||||||||||
See also Appendices XXIX. and XXX
* Total includes 2,538 Rats not accounted for in Tables “ G,” “ H ” and “ I,” being a number of Rats voluntarily notified
by Private Rat Catchers as having been trapped on vessels from non.infected ports.
TABLE F.
(2) In Docks, Quays, Wharves and Warehouses.
| Number of | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | April. | May. | June. | July. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Total inYear. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Eats | 675 | 697 | 782 | 755 | 795 | 1,260 | 688 | 638 | 838 | 1,000 | 846 | 921 | 9,890 |
| Brown Eats | |||||||||||||
| Bats examined | (See below.) | ||||||||||||
| Bats infected with Plague | (See below.) | ||||||||||||
EATS EXAMINED—Vessels, Docks, Quays, &c 1,420
RATS INFECTED WITH PLAGUE 6—all from a vessel in dock.
Sec also Appendices XXIX. and XXX.
TABLE G.
Particulars relating to Plague “ Infected ” or “ Suspected ” Vessels arriving in the Port during 1928.
| Name of Vessel. | Date of arrival. | Whether “ Infected ” or “ Suspected.” | Method of Rat Destruction employed. | Number of Dead Rats recovered. | Whether a Certi.fi. cate of Deratisation was issued. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. |
| S.S. “Kaisar.I.Hind ” | 19th January, 1928. | Infected (Rdent Plague). | Fumigated by liquid HCN. | Before fumigation, Trapped . 30 Found dead 25 After fumigation . 22 | None | — |
| s.s. “Nankin” | 29th March, 1928. | Suspected | Case occurred on outward voyage. Infection contracted ashore. | |||