POISON GAS FOR SHIP RATS.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXX, Issue 4060, 29 December 1919, Page 2

POISON GAS FOR SHIP RATS.

No fewer than 7367 ,rats were destroyed in., the, two ■•months June; 22 t> August 23 in ships arriving at the London Docks, in addition to 3546' in warehouses. These figures were given ,to a representative of the "Daily Mail" by Dr. W. M. Willoughby, the Port medical officer.

"It is not uncommon to find and destroy 200 to 300 lja.ts in a shi,p arriving from a foreign port," said Dr. Willoughby. "In one vessel 750 were killed recently in the holds and 40 caught on deck. The Port Sanitary Authority exerts itself against rats, hciefly because at any time they may be carriers of plague.

"Ships are being constantly insepcted, our Port inspector's being all sea captains, and what a 'sea captain does not know about rats nobody knows. Inspectors know exactly where to look for them, and when they report any ship to be .'ratty," measures are taken to disinfest it.

"Nothing can be done until the 'cargo is discharged, but the moment the holds arie empty they .are filled with poison gas. Several gases are available, but the one commonly chosen is sulphur* dioxide, for the reason that it. is heavier than air and does' 1 not rise out of the hold. The crew's quarters, pantries, and all other places of refuge are filled with gas and sealed up simultaneously with the holds, and if the rats seek refuge on deck they can be poisoned or caught in traps.

"In the campaign .against rats throughout, the country it is important to understand that .the only, way to reduce effectively the rat population is by separating the rats from their food and shelter. T.i .this is done they cannot breed, and will die out."