[Report 1960] / Medical Officer of Health, Northampton County Borough.

Sanitary Circumstances (continued) Offensive Trades. At the end of December, 1960, there were four names on the list of proprietors of offensive trades (Section 107, Public Health Act, 1936), viz :— Fat melter . \ Rag and bone dealers . 2 Tripe boiler, fat melter, and gut scraper . 1 Tents, Vans, Sheds, etc. There is now no public caravan site in the County Borough, but one site is licensed under Section 269 of the Public Health Act, 1936, for the use of two movable trailer caravans. Municipal car parks are occasionally used by variety artistes and circus performers. Caravans have been observed near Boughton Green Road on land adjacent to a disused registered caravan site. This site will be built on very shortly and it is hoped the caravans will be excluded because no proper sanitary arrangements have been made. Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials. No flock is manufactured in Northampton* Imt eleven premises where flock is used are registered under the Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951. No samples were taken. Pet Animals. Eight shops were licensed as pet shops. In each case the premises were visited by the public health inspectors and reported on regarding accommodation and general welfare of the animals kept. Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs. Due to staff shortage this work has been temporarily undertaken by the Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures. Rodent Control. The full-time Rat-catcher works under the supervision of the Chief Public Health Inspector. His advice and help are at the service of the occupier of any dwellinghouse, free of charge, whereas a charge is made in respect of business premises. Only poisons approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are used. 1,323 visits were made by the Rat-catcher in addition to 344 visits by public health inspectors. There were 211 poison baitings and 1,357 rat bodies were picked up. A sewer treatment, based on the 1958 test baiting, was carried out in March, 1960. In this treatment, 982 manholes were baited and 716 had baits taken. In a further treatment carried out in October, 954 manholes were treated and 710 had baits taken. In the October treatment Ready Mixed Warfarin ( 025%) specially prepared with attractants and stabiliser was used for the first time. Eight ounces were put in each manhole on the first day, which was re¬ visited on the fourth day and if a complete take was recorded sixteen ounces were put down. If only a part take, it was topped up. The next visit was on the eighth day when thirty-two ounces were put down for complete takes and partial takes topped up.