[Report 1929] / Medical Officer of Health, Tynemouth County Borough.

  • Tynemouth (England). County Borough Council.
Date:
1929
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1929] / Medical Officer of Health, Tynemouth County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The drains of 47 houses have been tested at the request of owners or occupiers. In new drainage systems or where old systems have been uncovered the test is by water, but otherwise the smoke test only is applied. As in previous years, questions of installing new or remodelling old systems of drains have been discussed with owners or builders, and the result has been to the mutual advantage of all concerned, as both efficiency and economy has been obtained. Sanitary Conveniences.—The work of converting from privy pail closets and privy ashpits has been almost completed. There are, in isolated situations, a few which cannot be dealt with as they are situated at too great a distance from the sewers. In one area, however, work is in progress, and the old system is to be succeeded by the installation of 35 water-closets. Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.—The Ministry fixed the time for simultaneous action from the 4th to 9th November, and special efforts were made during and prior to that period to ensure suceess. Bills were posted on advertisement stations, displayed in factories and workshops, advertisements inserted in the press, together with an article on the subject, entitled, “Rats’ Autumn Offensive, Local and National.” In addition, 225 circular letters were sent to owners or oecupiers ; a prepaid eard was enclosed for the purpose of sending in a return of the results. The ascer¬ tained results may be considered satisfactory, as premises numbering 146 were declared to be free, and in other places 333 rats and 178 mice were caught and destroyed. In the borough, there are 20 schools, and in these only nine rats and 19 mice were caught. Rat traps are available for any one who wishes to use them, and are much in request. Special instructions were issued to all sehool caretakers and caretakers of public buildings. These buildings may be deemed to be free from rodents. It is possible that, not only during Rat Week, but continuously, numbers of rats and mice are destroyed on farms, warehouses, wharfs and docks, but no reliable information is available on the question. Schools.—Of these no complaint has been received during the year. The water supplies have been found sufficient and the ventilation, sanita¬ tion and drainage, has been maintained satisfactorily. Rag Flock Acts, 1911 and 1928.—No samples were taken for analysis. Rag flock is falling into disfavour and fibre is now being used in its place by many firms.