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101
There were also 34 notices received from the London County
Council in respect of children suffering from Scabies. The
bedding in all these cases was disinfected on receipt of information
and again ten days later.
In addition to the cleansing of verminous rooms or premises
by owners and tenants after service of notice by the Sanitary
Inspectors, 886 rooms were discovered to be verminous where
neither tenant nor owner could be shown to be directly responsible.
These rooms were cleansed of vermin by spraying
by the staff of the Public Health Department.
Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919.
The number of complaints received during the year of
premises being infested with rats was 422. These complaints were
effectually dealt with in most cases by the repair or reconstruction
of defective sewers, drains and sanitary fittings, under the
supervision of the Sanitary Inspectors.
In 67 cases it was necessary to serve notices under the
Act upon the occupiers of the land or premises.
Fourteen premises were cleared under the agreement with
Messrs. Howard & Son, (Ratcatchers), under the supervision of
the Council's Sanitary Staff.
In 152 cases poison baits have been provided and laid down
under the supervision of the Sanitary Inspectors. By this means
143 premises have been effectively cleared of rats and 9 premises
were under observation and treatment at the end of the year.
This method has proved to be very successful and has resulted
in the extermination of a very large number of rats without any
complaints of smells after the rats have been poisoned.