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 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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possibility of carrying infected rodents cannot be ruled out emphasising the need to keep the
floating rodent population to a minimum and to take regular specimens for bacteriological examination.
"Rat-proofing" of lighters deprives the pests of harbourage in which to live and breed as
well as cutting lines of communication between obscure hiding places, and should be the first
step in proper control. This measure has been successfully advocated to the Industry and is
responsible for the gradual reduction in resident rats afloat. When the benefits of "rat proofing"
become obvious the owners of lighters become more willing to co-operate.
None of the rats sent for bacteriological examination have been found to be infected with
B.pestis.
Number of Lighters inspected 3,793
Number without evidence of rodents 3,291
Number with negligible evidence of rodents 445
Number treated for rats 57
Number of dead rats recovered after treatment 483
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS (APPLICATION TO SHIPPING) ORDERS 1951-56
During the year 13 Rodent Control Certificates were issued to coastwise ships as provided
for by the terms of the Prevention of Damage by Pests (Application to Shipping) Order, 1951-56.
TABLE E
Rodents destroyed (bodies recovered) during the year in ships and in shore premises
(1) On vessels
| Number of | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Rats | 156 | 123 | 105 | 125 | 205 | 132 | 70 | 161 | 132 | 104 | 73 | 106 | 1,492 |
| Brown Rats | 1 | - | 15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 16 |
| Rats examined | 20 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 92 |
| Rats infected with plague | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| (2) In Docks, Quays, Wharves and Warehouses | |||||||||||||
| Number of | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Total |
| Black Rats | 44 | 84 | 64 | 24 | 64 | 33 | 44 | 33 | 60 | 64 | 57 | 17 | 588 |
| Brown Rats | 35 | 30 | 25 | 81 | 67 | 60 | 94 | 62 | 76 | 72 | 39 | 46 | 687 |
| Rats examined | — | 2 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | 20 |
| Rats infected with plague | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Mice : 1,633 mice were also destroyed ; 282 in ships and 1,351 in shore premises.
TABLE F
Deratting Certificates and Deratting Exemption Certificates issued during the year
for Ships from Foreign Ports
| No. of Deratting Certificates issued | Number of Deratting Exemption Certificates issued | Total Certificates issued | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| After Fumigation with | After Trapping | After Poisoning | After Trapping and Poisoning | Total | |||
| HCN | Other Fumigants (state Method) | ||||||
| 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 4(a) | 5. | 6. | 7. |
| 4 | "Methyl Bromide" 1 | Nil | "1080" 70 "Warfarin" 2 | Nil | 77 | 1,004 | 1,081 |