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57
Sanitary Administration.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ACT, 1919.
A whole-time Rat Catcher has continued to be employed by
the Council during the year to assist in the work of rat destruction,
under the supervision of the Sanitary Inspector. The Sanitary
Inspectors make inspections in the District for the purpose of
discovering rat-infested premises.
The Sanitary Inspector reports that 4,956 rats' tails were
brought to the Office by the Rat Catcher during the year,
contrasted with 5,102 during the year 1921; poisoned bait was laid
at 87 premises. 234 complaints were received of the presence of
rats on premises.
The Rat Catcher paid 634 visits to premises, in addition to
periodical visits to such open places as Barnes and Sheen Commons,
the Beverley Brook, Tow path, &c.
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION.
The following is an account of the work carried out during the
year in connection with :—
(1) The disinfection and disinfestation of (a) Premises; (b)
Bedding and other articles.
(2) The cleansing of persons infested with vermin.
The Disinfecting Station attached to the Isolation Hospital,
and the Cleansing Station situated at the Council's Depot, have
been used for these purposes. In premises, disinfection of rooms
vacated by persons suffering from infectious disease has been by
formaldehyde vapour, disinfestation of verminous premises has
been by fumigation with sulphur dioxide and other means.
The number of rooms disinfected after the occurrence of
infectious disease was 348; and 99 rooms were stripped and
cleansed on this account. Verminous premises fumigated and
otherwise treated to rid them of vermin numbered 10.
Lots of bedding disinfected after infectious diseases numbered
258 ; 4 lots of verminous bedding were destroyed.
Cleansing Station. Arrangements are in force whereby the
Council's Cleansing Station is available for the purpose of cleansing
children attending the Public Elementary Schools, who, on account