Medical Officer's annual report [to] Durban Corporation.
- Durban (South Africa). Public Health Department
- Date:
- [1912]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Medical Officer's annual report [to] Durban Corporation. Source: Wellcome Collection.
117/178 page 58
![•r>y In any future outbreak I would suggest that a trial be made of the vapour of carbon bisulphide under pressure in rat runs, etc. REWARD EOR RATS. In order to expedite the destruction of rats by householders, etc., and to gain information regarding the result of such efforts, the Plague Committee considered it advisable to offer a reward for rats certified by a householder to have been caught or found dead within the triangular area bounded by the Indian Ocean, the Point Railway lane, and Repot Hoad. The reward amounted to threepence per rat or mouse. Very few rats or mice were received in response to this ode]'. As soon as it became known that Plague had invaded the Point area, Mr. Daugherty with his usual energy and thoroughness, initiated a special scaveng¬ ing crusade in that district. For that purpose extra men and carts were employed, and the whole area speedily cleared of all refuse and rubbish which might afford food or harbour for rats. Three of the Assistant Inspectors from other districts were drafted into the Point area in order to give all premises immediate and thorough inspection. By his advice, instruction and example, Mr. Daugherty stimulated bis staff to the highest efforts. To assist the Sanitary Department in speedily dealing with all places liable to invasion in the Borough, it was also thought desirable fo have two highly intelligent men employed to make a systematic visitation and inspection of premises for the purpose of drawing attention of occupiers to their duty under the Borough By-laws, etc., and noting the existence, if any, of structural defects that might allow of the ingress or egress of rats. Their work also included making notes of the nature and extent of precautionary measures taken bv occupiers for the capture or destruction of rats. The object of such work was to obtain rapid and reliable information in regard to rats on nremises in localities where infection might he considered probable, and the warning at such visitation was intended to be used as evidence in any litigation that might ensue. The « r*' Chief Constable supplied two of his best officers for this work. Their reports came in daily, and any conditions adversely reported upon by them were at once taken in hand by our staff. Mr. Chubb, F.Z.S., Curator of the Municipal Museum, to whom at various times several consignments of rats were submitted, reported the species in each instance to be Mux Ruttux. This rat possesses a sharp snout, is large eared, and has a tail exceeding in length that of its bead and body. Mux Denunanus is also present in Durban, but is probably more common at the Point, as many specimens taken in that area have been examined by Dr. Park Ross at his Laboratory. Mux Decumunux lias a rounder snout, smaller ears, and a shorter stumpier tail- -not exceeding in length that of the body of the rat.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b31486496_0117.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
