19:21.] Rat Destruction by Government Aid. 1053 



Two months later an Order amending the Eats Order. 191S. was 

 issued permitting Local Authorities to delegate powers to various 

 minor bodies. 



It was found that the permissive powers given to Local Autho- 

 rities under the Eats Orders did not make for any very general 

 or energetic grappling with the problem, and it became manifest 

 that some wider measure would be necessary. 



A noteworthy proof of the growing interest in rat destruction 

 was given by the Eoyal Sanitary Institute at its Congress held 

 in July, 1919. at Newcastle. The Congress passed the following 

 resolution : — 



' " That the Council of the Eoyal Sanitary Institute be recom- 

 mended to urge upon the Ministry of Health the necessity of 

 continuing as a health measure the powers conferred- under 

 the Eats Order, and that support be given to the Bill dealing 

 with rat destruction now before Parliament/' 

 Before the end of the year, public feeling had become so much 

 alive to the importance of rat destruction that in December,. 

 1919. the Eats and Mice (Destruction 1 Act was passed almost 

 without opposition. Strengthened by legal sanction, the 

 Ministry embarked on a policy of combined action on organised 

 lines. 



In order to stimulate public action, a pamphlet (D.B.2.) was 

 issued, urging the institution of Eat Weeks. Between October, 

 1919. and March. 1920. three such periods of special effort were 

 held. The Army Authorities co-operated, the Press gave most 

 friendly assistance, cinematograph managers helped to advertise 

 the scheme, and Eat Clubs and Boy Scouts lent a hand. The 

 value of concerted action within a given area was shown by the 

 estimated returns of rats killed. In many districts the number 

 exceeded 100.000. The following are some results from districts 

 where help was given by the Ministry during 1919. In the 

 county of Southampton 121.500 rats were destroyed between 

 24th March and 18th June. Throughout the year the county of 

 Hertfordshire showed a record of 235.739 rats destroyed, and 

 in five months Leicester reported a " kill M of 125.223. During 

 six months' operations in Buckinghamshire 22.341 rats were 

 killed: during seven months in Oxfordshire 52.000; during six 

 months in Shropshire. 64.485 ; and during two months in Staf- 

 fordshire 62.074. On suggestions made by the Ministry a sys- 

 tematic campaign was organised throughout the country by the 

 Military Authorities. The Military Supply Reserve Depot at 

 Beptford — an area 40 acres in extent — was treated successfully 



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