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the ground and effectively sealing off outlets from sewers where
premises have been demolished and unused drains and sanitary
fittings in unoccupied war-damaged premises has restricted this
trouble and has prevented serious infestation of any premises.
During 1942 the drains of 646 demolished premises were cut
and sealed, and a large number of fittings and drains in unoccupied
premises were sealed to prevent the escape of rats from sewers into
those premises which would provide harbourage and breeding places
for rats.
The following is a summary of the measures taken during the
year to deal with rat infestation:—
(a) Number of premises from which complaints
of rat infestation were received 726
(b) Total number of premises in which evidence
of rats was found and appropriate action
taken 847
(c) Number of premises rat-proofed, including
sealing of drainage at premises rendered
uninhabitable by enemy action 1,064
(d) Number of premises at which poison baits
were laid by the Public Health Dept. 682
(e) Number of premises at which traps were laid 260
(f) Number of premises at which other methods
were adopted 150
It is of interest to note that 3,925 enquiries at premises in which
food is manufactured, stored or sold revealed evidence of rat infestation
at 103 premises (2.6 per cent.) whereas 23,548 enquiries at other
premises disclosed the presence of rats in 744 cases (3.1 per cent.).
It was not necessary during the year to call upon the services
of Messrs. Howard & Sons, a firm of rat-catchers with whom the
Council has for many years had an arrangement for dealing with
rat-infested premises.
Aged and Infirm Persons Living Under Insanitary Conditions.
—Action was necessary during the year as regards eleven aged and
infirm persons who were living alone in sadly neglected conditions
as a result of their inability properly to care for themselves or to
receive care and attention from other persons. In nine cases the
persons concerned voluntarily entered hospital following visits by
the district Sanitary Inspectors and Medical Officer of Health and
in the remaining two cases it was necessary to take action under
Section 224 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and Magistrates'
Orders were secured authorising compulsory removal to and
detention in hospital.