London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1972

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]

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Of the 302 Lash and Sea Bee Lighters that were discharged in the port during the year, 88
were inspected for rodent infestation, equivalent to a 29% inspection, and on each occasion there
was no evidence of rodents.
As in the past, every assistance has been received from the lighterage industry in our efforts
to reduce rodent infestation to a minimum in lighters, and I do feel that by the combined efforts
of education, hygiene, source reduction and rat-proofing, rodent infestation in lighters can be
reduced and controlled to a minimum.

RODENT CONTROL ON LIGHTERS, YEAR ENDING 1972

Number of Lighters inspected2,764
Number of Lighters without any evidence2,648
Number of Lighters with negligible fresh or old evidence. No action taken64
Number of Lighters treated for rats..52
Number of dead rats recovered after treatment98
Number of rats sent for bacteriological examination P/pestis. All results were negative12

TABLE SHOWING FIGURES AND STATISTICS FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS

YearNo. of Lighters lnspec*ed% of Lighters without any Evidence% of Lighters with negligible fresh or old Evidence. No Action Taken% of Lighters Treated for RatsNo. of Dead Rats recovered after TreatmentAverage No. of Rats recovered per Lighter Treated
19635,40889.09.41.67328.4
19642,06291.76 02.31954.0
19654,56579.019.51.53775.4
19663,29490.18.51.41723.7
19673,15392.16.11.82774.9
19683,48792.26.01.82483.9
19692,68691.35.53.22633.1
19702,64990.76.23.12382.9
19713,54593.63.92.51771.9
19722,76495.82.31.9981.9
Average 1963-19723,36189.98.12.02784.0

PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS (APPLICATION TO SHIPPING)
ORDER 1951-56
During the year 23 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.
19