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23
made of all the chemists and other shops where
such articles might be possibly dealt with, but so
far no purchase—where made—seem to have been
from the firm under suspicion. The matter was
not quite disposed of for some time and investigations
and enquiries were made for a few weeks
longer.
Rats Orders 1918-1919.—Publicity has been
given to the growing prevalence of these rodents,
to the enormous destruction of food computed at
£15,000,000 yearly or even much more than that;
and to the possible spread of disease by their
agency.
They also do enormous damage to property.
It is established that the rat by its fleas is the
chief agent in the causation of Plague, and it is
also a known carrier of Dysentery, and it is also
believed of foot and mouth disease in cattle.
It would seem that only organised and continuous
efforts are likely to succeed in its destruction as the
annual reproduction is at such a rate that spasmodic
or intermittent efforts are of little avail.
All owners of premises where food is stored
should endeavour to render them rat proof. It
should be widely known that the Rats and Mice
Destruction Act which came into force on January
1st, 1920, compels every person to destroy all rats
and mice on his premises. The penalty for noncompliance
is, on conviction, £5 to £50.