Reports and papers on suspected cases of human plague in East Suffolk and on an epizootic of plague in rodents.

  • Great Britain. Local Government Board.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Reports and papers on suspected cases of human plague in East Suffolk and on an epizootic of plague in rodents. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    As the result of this action a number of rats have reached tlie Board from dilfereut parts of Enj^laud and Wales. None of these have been found to be infected with plague. Action by the East Suffolk County Council. During his earlier visits Dr. Bulstrode pointed out the importance of the County Council making arrangements for the bacteriological examination of rats and for co- ordinating the work of the distric.t councils within the administrative county. At that time the County Council had not ap])ointed a medical officer of health under section 17 of the Local (Tovernment Act, 1888, but they at once engaged tem- porarily Dr. 11. Llewellyn Heath, D.P.H.; and the Public Health Committee of the County Council, advised by Dr. Heath, have done valuable work in organising measures throughout the comity. A deputation from this Committee was received in London by the President of the Local Government Board, and points of difficulty discussed. Dr. Heath has reported on the action taken by the County and District Councils, and extracts from his rejiort are included in the Appendix (p. 80). Actio.V by Sanitaiiy Autmohities. The Board communicated with the Council of each affected district and* arranged to be supplied with weekly reports of the action taken by each authority. A copy of the letter thus sent is given on page 68. The degree of action taken by the different sanitary autho- rities in and around the infected area has* varied. This action is set out in Dr. Bulstrode’s report. In most districts good work has been done, especially in arranging measures for rat destruc- tion. While public attention continued to be drawn to the out- break, energetic measures were freely taken ; but in some instances there has not been steady and persistent action on the part of the local authorities. Destruction of Rats. Of the measures taken in the infected area, that of rat destruc- tion has been the one carried out with the greatest degree of efficiency. Advice as to rat destruction was always associated with the still more important counsel as to the need for preventing the access of rats under and into dwellings; and stress was laid on the importance of securing a diminution of rats by preventing their access to supplies of food. Rats have been destroyed by professional rat-catchers, by shooting, by ferrets and dogs, and by poisons, bacterial and chemical. Landowners, farmers, gamekeepers, and many others have seconded the efforts of sanitary officials in this work; and enormous numbers of rats have been destroyed. Unfortunately, some owners and occupiers of property have not co-operated ,