PREFACE 



The issue of a pamphlet dealing with Eats and Mice, and their 

 depredations, needs no defence, and it may indeed be claimed to 

 have a very direct bearing on the successful conduct of the war. 

 Although the extent of the damage done to essential food-supplies 

 by these small mammals is appreciated by all those who have had 

 practical experience on a large scale, it is not sufficiently recognized 

 by the majority of the community how great it is. The account 

 given by Mr. M. A. C. Hinton in these pages shows how urgent is 

 the necessity for co-ordinated action in reducing the numbers of 

 Eats and Mice, which may fitly be described as the Enemies of 

 Mankind, by reason of the enormous toll they take of his food, and 

 of their agency in the dispersal of some of the most serious diseases 

 which affect the human race. 



Plates 1 and 2 and Text-figure 1 have been reproduced from 

 original drawings by Mr. P. Highley, and fig. 2 from drawings by 

 the author, Mr. Hinton. Figs. 3-6 are taken from Mr. G. S. Miller's 

 " Catalogue of the Mammals of Western Europe," pubhshed by 

 the Trustees in 1912. 



The thanks of the Trustees are due to the following persons 

 for information or the loan of papers : — • 



Dr. E. P. Manby and Dr. Hammond Smith of the Local 

 Government Board. 



The Secretary, the Librarian, and Mr. F. A. Fulford, of the 

 Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. 



Dr. W. H. Hamer, Medical Officer of Health for the County of 

 London, and Dr. Brincker, of the Public Health Dept., L.C.C. 



Dr. WiLLOUGHBY, Medical Officer of Health to the Port of 

 London. 



The Port of London Authority and its officers. 



The Eight Hon. J. W. Lowther, D.C.L., LL.D., Speaker of the 

 House of Commons. 



Dr. A. E. Shipley, F.E.S., Master of Christ's College, Cam- 

 bridge. 



Mr. E. I. PococK, F.E.S. 



Mr. E. E. Parker, of Easton, Norwich. 



Mr. A. H. Patterson, of Yarmouth. 



SIDNEY F. HAEMEE, 

 British Museum (Natural History), Keeper of Zoology. 



Cromwell Road, London, S.W. 7. 

 July, 1918. 



