[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough].

  • Battersea (London, England). Metropolitan Borough.
Date:
[1960]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    26/58 (page 24)
    24 All infestations coming to light, whether by way of complaint or otherwise, are systematically investigated, and the appropriate action taken. Where the cause of the trouble is obviously defective drains or other defects in the building, the owner is called upon to effect the necessary repairs. This aspect of the work involves close co-operation between the Rodent Control Staff and the Public Health Inspectors. In the case of private dwellings the work of disinfestation is carried out by the Rodent Control Staff free of cost, and on request at business premises, where the cost is charged in full. Property Infested by Rats Major Minor Seriously infested by Mice Council's properties - 9 - Dwelling houses - 95 40 Business premises - 76 29 - 180 69 The total number of visits made to the above premises, and to others which were found not to be infested, was 3,231. The baiting of sewers under the control of the Council is carried out twice yearly, and the amount of poison bait taken is a measure of the success of the treatments. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food had, up to the 31st March, 1959, made a grant of 50 per cent, towards the cost of the service. This grant has now ceased, but the standard of control is being maintained. The Ministry's technical, advisory and instructional service is still available to the Council's Officers, should it be required. Verminous Premises. During the year 342 premises which were found to be infested with vermin were disinfested. The insecticide used contains Pybuthrin and Lindane/D.D.T. and gives a prolonged residual effect. Van Dwellings. There are three principal sites in the Borough where caravans or other types of moveable dwellings are situated. These sites are regularly inspected, and during the year 205 inspections were made. All have sufficient sanitary accommodation, a mains water supply, and are pro vided with sufficient dustbin accommodation. Under powers contained in the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1959, the Council may grant licences authorising the use of the sites for moveable dwellings. After the Appointed Day which is the 1st October, 1960, it will be an offence for any person to use or knowingly allow to be used any land occupied by him as a site for moveable dwellings, unless he holds a licence granted by the Council. The Council may attach to any licence granted such conditions as they think fit as to the number of moveable dwellings which may be kept on the land, the amount of space to be kept free between such dwellings, water supply, fire protection arrangements, sanitary conditions and the prevention of nuisance from noise.