Part 23

It is recognized that a detailed review of past efforts against rodents would be unprofitable, but on account of the enormous trade relations between important seaports it is thought that a review of the measures taken therein against rodents would be of value.

RAT EXTERMINATION IN UNITED STATES PORTS.

Prior to the adoption of the International Sanitary Conventions of Paris and Washington, the Federal Government had made provision in its quarantine regulations for the prevention of the spread of plague on ships through rodents.

The articles contained in the United States Quarantine Regulations, issued April 1, 1903, and bearing on the subject, are as follows:

14. At ports or places where plague prevails every precaution must be taken to prevent the vessel becoming infected through the agency of rats, ants, flies, fleas, or other animals. At such ports or places the vessel should not lie at a dock, or tie to the shore, or anchor near any place where such animals may gain access to the vessel. In case cables are led to the shore they should be freshly tarred and provided with inverted cones or such other devices as may prevent rats and other animals passing to the ship. The introduction of vermin on board the vessel from lighters and all other sources should be guarded against. In such ports sulphur fumigation should be resorted to in the holds when empty and from time to time during loading in order to destroy vermin.

45 (b) Free ventilation and rigorous cleanliness should be maintained in all portions of the ship during the voyage and measures taken to destroy rats, mice, fleas, flies, roaches, mosquitoes, and other vermin.

45 (h) In the case of plague, special measures must be taken to destroy rats, mice, fleas, flies, ants, and other vermin on board.

128. Vessels infected with plague, or suspected of such infection, should be anchored at a sufficient distance from the shore or other vessels to prevent the escape of rats by swimming.

133. Special precautions must be taken against rats, mice, ants, flies, fleas, and other animals, on account of the danger of the infection of the disease being spread through their agency.

134. As soon as practicable there shall be a preliminary disinfection with sulphur dioxide for the purpose of killing rats and vermin before further disinfecting processes are applied to the vessel and her cargo. The killing of any escaping rats shall be provided for by a water guard in small boats, and no person with abrasions or open sores should be employed in the handling of the vessel or her cargo.

135. The vessel shall be submitted to a simultaneous disinfection in all parts with sulphur dioxide to insure the destruction of rats and vermin. The rats shall be subsequently gathered and burned, due precautions being taken not to touch them with the bare hands, and the places where found disinfected with a germicidal solution; and the quarantine officer shall assure himself that the vessel is free of rats and vermin before granting free pratique.

Additional regulations prescribe the method of disinfection of vessels for plague, and elsewhere in this publication is given a detailed description of the measures taken aboard ships at Angel Island, one of the national quarantine stations.

Elsewhere is also given an account of the measures taken to eradicate plague from certain cities on the Pacific coast, among the measures being the systematic destruction of rodents and practical rat proofing.

In a letter dated November 21, 1908, requests were made to the Department of State for reports from certain of the more important foreign seaports as to systematic measures being practiced for the destruction of rats. As a result much valuable information has been received, and acknowledgments are due and here made to the consular officers furnishing it. The data received was abstracted and classified according to countries as follows:

RAT EXTERMINATION IN CHINESE CITIES.

Although the present pandemic of plague had its origin in Canton, China, in 1894, and the disease has been endemic there practically ever since, Consul-General Bergholz states that the provincial government of Kwangtung has made no efforts to exterminate rats.

In Amoy the local authorities have never taken measures to encourage the extermination of rats, and in the absence of assistance from the local authorities but little can be done toward effective eradication.

An outbreak of plague in Shanghai in December, 1908, was attributed to the introduction of rats by ships from plague-infected ports.[CM] A plan of campaign for such an emergency had previously been formulated and was put in operation. It included collection and laboratory examinations of rats and organization of rat parties to destroy rats and render houses rat proof.

Footnote CM:

The Municipal Gazette, Shanghai, January 7, 1909, Health Officer’s report for December, 1908.

In Tientsin official efforts made to exterminate rats are on lines to suit the convenience of the particular health official. The consulate at that port states that generally on the appearance of plague, the officials pay about one-half cent for each rat brought, and as the epidemic becomes severe, as much as 2½ cents gold.

In Hongkong, the question of rats in relation to plague has been of perennial interest. While on duty in the American consulate at that port, my attention was forcibly called to the influence of rodents in the transmission of plague. In 1900 it had been the practice to encourage the destruction of rats in the city, and a reward of 2 cents Mexican money was offered for each rat brought to the health department. A certain number of these rats were examined from day to day from different districts.

In August, 1901, arrangements were made by which the health department collected and examined a specified number of rats each day to try to determine in some degree the relative prevalence of plague among these animals. This practice was continued for several months, with the result that the mortality among rodents from the disease was shown to have rapidly decreased until in November practically no plague-infected rats were found.

In a discussion of the subject, furnished February 2, 1909, by Dr. W. W. Pierce, medical officer of health, through Consul-General A. P. Wilder, it is stated that in 1902 the fee for rats was raised to 5 cents, and a special staff of coolies was engaged to destroy rats. The abuses on account of these bounties were so great, however, that it was found necessary to discontinue it in 1903, but the method of trapping rats was continued.

While the total number of rats taken in 1903 was 101,047, Doctor Pierce stated in effect that on account of the prejudice against disinfection, it was practically impossible to secure the addresses where the infected rats were found. The services of the staff were continued, however, until 1908, when they were abolished because it was thought, as stated by Doctor Pierce, that results were not commensurate with the cost, and many complaints were heard. The plan of furnishing traps to all persons who applied was then introduced, and in addition, structural methods which had gone on for years were continued.

The traps were distributed through district committees consisting of the more educated natives, who were informed that with their assistance it would be possible to avoid abuses which had been practiced by the official rat-catching staff.

Doctor Pierce stated that it had been impossible under other systems to secure the addresses where infected rats were found, and in order to overcome this prejudice, several hundred receptacles were placed in different parts of the city whereby the rats could be collected. These tins were visited from day to day, and by this means it was possible to locate infected districts.

Doctor Pierce stated that the use of ordinary disinfectants in plague-infected houses had been discontinued, and that a 2 per cent mixture in water of a kerosene emulsion made by stirring warm tank oil, 85 parts added gradually to 15 parts of hot, strong solution of “sunlight” soap, was used. This solution was found to instantly kill fleas and bugs, and it has been used systematically.

For ordinary cleansing a 1 per cent solution is used, but Doctor Pierce stated that on the recurrence of plague special gangs would be employed to apply a 2 per cent solution in infected localities.

Beginning with January 1, 1909, Doctor Pierce stated that a rat poison known as “Punjaub rat exterminator” had been laid down, and that the intensive destruction of rats by this means was under consideration.

In summarizing the measures taken against rats, the American consul-general stated that four methods were in use, namely, rat proofing, trapping, poisoning, and use of cats. The use of bacterial viruses as poisons has thus far been unsatisfactory, and the use of chemical poisons, such as phosphorus, prepared, and known as “Punjaub rat exterminator,” has only given moderate results.

The keeping of cats is encouraged, and the consul states that some hundreds of these animals have been imported from Macao and Canton by the colony and distributed.

Finally, the consul states that the use of “rat funnels” has long been compelled whenever large vessels lie at the wharves.

In Sinyang the work of exterminating rats is in charge of a physician who has 12 assistants, which number, however, may be increased in case of emergency. The means employed are trapping, offering rewards, and catching by means of cats. In his report, the consul states that the best results have been secured by trapping. For ridding houses of rats, some use is made of fumigation. It is stated that there is not much danger of rats invading cargo boats, but that in the country rats are present in enormous numbers, and that the problem of their destruction has thus far baffled all attempts at solution. Bounties at the rate of 15 cents per hundred are paid, and in one year the Government expended for this purpose $32,500.

RAT EXTERMINATION IN MADRAS, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA, INDIA.

In Madras, Consul N. B. Stewart states there is no legal enactment in effect requiring the destruction of rats, but the Government has done everything in its power to make the public understand the value of such a measure as a preventive against plague. In 1907 a reward of one-half anna, equal to 1 cent, was offered by the city for each large rat killed, and one-fourth anna for each small one. Bounties of one-fourth anna and one-twelfth anna each for the respective varieties of rats were still being continued at the time report was made.

In Bombay, where plague has been endemic since 1896, destruction of rats and examination of all dead rats and evacuation of rat-infected areas are included among the measures taken by the health department in connection with plague operations. In his report Consul E. H. Dennison states that the present antirat campaign in Bombay includes the distribution of poisons, the trapping of rats, and the reward of 1 cent for each live rat, and a half cent for each dead rat, delivered to the health department. He also states that there are no by-laws or acts under which the destruction of rats can be enforced in private houses.

On account of religious opposition, and to teach the people, educational posters signed by the health officer were displayed, containing advice what to do to prevent plague, which in part reads as follows:

1. Beware of rats in your dwelling houses.

2. To harbor rats is to court plague.

3. Rat infection and consequent rat mortality are the indications of the impending plague visitation among human beings.

4. Allow the health department staff to place rat traps in and about your houses to catch rats and take them back.

5. Freedom from plague is in the removal of rats.

6. Inform the health department when dead rats are found in or near your houses.

7. Clear your houses of all materials likely to harbor rats.

The same placard also contains information regarding disinfection to kill fleas, evacuation of infected areas, and inoculations to produce immunity.

In a special report dated January 23 the consul described a new experiment in rat destruction; that is, an intensive effort in the Kamatipura district. The district was divided into divisions and subdivisions in which simultaneously there were distributed for use on a certain day 19,642 poison baits and 2,670 traps. It was stated that as a result hundreds of rats were collected the following morning.

No reference is made to measures taken for the destruction of rats aboard ships in the harbor.

In Calcutta, it is reported by Consul-General W. H. Michael that various methods are resorted to for the extermination of plague, rats, the use of poison being the most general. Rewards have been offered for live and dead rats, and about 11,135 dead rats were produced, but it was found that a considerable portion of these was picked up by conservancy coolies, and the reward for dead rats was therefore discontinued. Of live rats, only 9,447 were produced. After December 1, 1908, the reward was raised to 4 cents, with the result that 49,396 live rats were captured. It is stated, however, that this did not seem to have any appreciable effect upon the rat population.

RAT EXTERMINATION IN YOKOHAMA AND NAGASAKI, JAPAN.

In the Kanagawa Ken, in which Yokohama is located, the following ordinances relating to the extermination of rats have been enacted:

_Kanagawa Ken Ordinance No. 64 of 1902 (issued October 8)._

Finders of dead rats within the prefecture shall immediately report and deliver same to the nearest police, village, or other authorities in charge. Upon receipt thereof, the police or other authorities shall without delay transmit the same to the police headquarters (Yokohama).

_Kanagawa Ken Ordinance No. 45 of 1903 (issued June 26)._

Finders of a dead rat or capturers of a live rat shall report and deliver the same within twelve hours to the police, mayor, medical inspector or officer, antiplague committee, or officer in charge of the Hygiene Guild.

Violation of the foregoing shall be punishable either by a fine or detention in jail.

_Kanagawa Ken Ordinance No. 63 of 1907 (issued June 8)._

Persons who plan or are engaged in the importation of rats from without into the city of Yokohama, or persons who plan to breed rats in the said city, shall be punished by detention in jail or by a fine.

_Extract from Kanagawa Ken Ordinance No. 14 of 1907, relating to supervision over storage and warehouses (issued March 6)._

ARTICLE 1. The term “storage and warehouses,” hereinafter mentioned, shall mean and include any godown, storage or storehouses, or warehouses, used by storage or warehouse companies, individuals, forwarding agents or express companies, wholesale dealers, works and factories, wherein cotton, cereals, or grains, flour, peanuts, beancake, and other pressed oil cakes, cocoons, feathers, leather, old or waste cotton, old straw, bags, etc., are stored and kept.

ART. 8, sec. 1. Owners of a storage or warehouse shall exercise at least four times a year a rigid and thorough method of house cleaning and rat destruction in the storage or warehouse. The date and time of cleaning shall be reported to the police, to whose satisfaction and approval the cleaning must be carried out.

ART. 8, sec. 2. Owners of a storage or warehouse shall furnish and always keep at each doorway a suitable rat trap, and shall always endeavor to exterminate rats or pursue such method of extermination as may be directed by the police.

In forwarding the above ordinances, Vice-Consul Babbit stated that vessels engaged in foreign trade, when deemed advisable by the harbor authorities, are required to endeavor to exterminate the rats on board by sulphur fumigation or other effective methods, as are also coastwise vessels.

To encourage the extermination of rats, the mayor of Yokohama was authorized by the city council to pay bounties, the rate being 3 sen (1½ cents) each. The vice-consul states that in addition to this purchase price a ticket is given for a lottery, and for each 60,000 rats 156 prizes, amounting to a total of 1,000 yens are given by the city.

In a table giving the number of rats purchased and sent to the hygiene bureau for bacteriological examination, it is seen that for the year ending December 31, 1908, 447,981 were received.

In Nagasaki the municipal council passed an ordinance January 6, 1906, as follows:

1. Rats to be purchased are of two kinds—house and field rats—and they must be either caught or found dead within this city.

2. A bounty of 3 sen (1½ cents) shall be paid for each rat with a ticket, to be cashed on presentation.

3. Such tickets, to be cashed, must be presented at the city office within thirty days from the date of issue.

4. Rats shall be purchased at the city office, police stations, branch police stations, police boxes, or by city officials, who go around for such purpose, by giving a ticket to be cashed upon presentation, provided that distinction must be made between a rat caught and one found dead.

In transmitting a copy of this ordinance Consul G. H. Scidmore stated that it was issued in accordance with the infectious diseases law of Japan, No. 36, of March, 1897, which provides that cities, towns, and villages shall make all necessary arrangements relating to the extermination of rats as may be ordered by the prefectural governors.

He also stated that when the above ordinance was decreed the mayor of Nagasaki issued detailed instructions regarding its enforcement. The ordinance was enforced from the time of its enactment until July 7, 1908, when the city ceased paying bounties; from January 13, 1908, to July 7, 1908, 980.33 yen ($488.20) having been expended, and 30,767 rats having been destroyed.

RAT EXTERMINATION IN LOURENÇO MARQUEZ, EAST AFRICA, AND MADAGASCAR.

In Lourenço Marquez, Consul W. S. Hollis states that a disinfecting barge is maintained, and requisitioned from time to time by vessels, by which means considerable numbers of rats are destroyed.

He also states that the last efforts to destroy rats on shore were made during the plague outbreak in November and December, 1907.

In a circular accompanying Provincial Decree No. 754 of the governor-general, the following relates to the destruction of rats:

1. For the destruction of rats we advise the public to make use of poison paste.

2. These may be obtained by requisition on the municipal chamber and from police stations.

3. The paste furnished shall be divided into portions and distributed in different parts of the dwellings.

In Provincial Decree No. 737, issued December 11, 1907, by the governor-general, it is required that grain and forage warehouses and stables be provided with cement floors, and that ventilators be provided with wire screens sufficiently fine to prevent the access of rats, and that interior doors and salient angles be provided with metallic points to prevent the climbing and entrance of rats.[CN]

Footnote CN:

Cases of pest in Lourenço Marquez, official report.

In Provincial Decree No. 48, issued by the governor-general January 30, 1908, it is proposed among other things to establish a permanent service for the capture and bacteriological examination of rodents in the city and its suburbs.

In transmitting the publication containing copies of these decrees the consul stated that by the end of February, 1908, the campaign against rats was relaxed, and since then nothing had been done to continue the work of extermination.

In Tamatave, Madagascar, and other ports of that island no efforts were being made to exterminate rats, and the American consul reported that there were no municipal or colonial laws or regulations directing such action.

RAT EXTERMINATION IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA.

In a report dated January 20, 1909, Dr. A. J. Gregory, medical officer of health for the colony, states that at present no persons are solely employed on rat catching, but the sanitary staff is required to take all possible measures to reduce the rodent population. By the use of bird lime a very large number of rats have from time to time been destroyed. Doctor Gregory also refers to experiments made to determine the value of tar and funnels placed on ropes to prevent the access of rats to ships. The experiments were made to simulate actual conditions that would prevail at ships lying at docks. It was found that thickly coating a rope with fresh tar had not the slightest deterrent effect on rats passing along. Funnels of a less diameter than 20 inches were equally unsuccessful, and it was thought the experiments proved the fallacy of trusting to tarred ropes or to disks of a workable diameter being able to prevent rats from migrating in either direction between shipping and shore.

RAT EXTERMINATION IN ALEXANDRIA AND CAIRO, EGYPT.

In Alexandria, Consul D. R. Burch stated that measures for the extermination of rats were practiced; that the cost of disinfection was defrayed by the municipality, which also supplied rat traps and poison.

In Cairo rat destruction was being practiced, but it was stated that the results could not be described as encouraging.

EXTERMINATION OF RATS IN THE PORT OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

Consul-General E. H. Ozmun, at Constantinople, states that while no special measures have been taken to exterminate rats in that city, the sanitary administration of the Ottoman Empire has provided measures for the destruction of rats and mice on all vessels arriving from places contaminated with plague, and he has furnished the following copy of instructions concerning vessels which have or have not undergone disinfection in view of destroying rats and mice on board:

ARTICLE 1. Vessels coming from places contaminated with plague and which have not been disinfected either in the port of departure or in an intermediary port during voyage, for the destruction of rats and mice on board, according to the regulations of the superior council of health, shall undergo their disinfection in the lazaretto while finishing their quarantine.

ART. 2. Vessels coming from places contaminated with plague provided with a certificate stating that the aforementioned disinfection has been undergone may, after their admission, work in the port but without landing on the quay.

ART. 3. Vessels proceeding from an uncontaminated Ottoman or foreign port and which are provided with the certificate mentioned in article 2 shall be free to moor at the quay if it is proved that the vessel has been disinfected within a period of forty days; if not, the vessel will operate in the port or at anchor.

Vessels in a similar case not provided with this certificate but which can prove by the journal of the vessel that they have not sailed within a period of four months to a contaminated port shall be authorized to moor at the quay.

ART. 4. Vessels mooring at the quay must be at a distance of from 1 to 2 meters (39⅓ inches to 78¾ inches) maximum. During night they must draw up the gangways and ladders, and must leave no towline suspended without protecting it with funnels, brush wood, etc.

The vessels working in the harbor must also protect their towlines in the same manner.

It is prohibited for lighters and boats to remain attached to these vessels during the night outside of the time for working.

ART. 5. The above-mentioned vessels, mooring at the quay and on the way to an Ottoman port, shall be required after having finished the loading and discharging of cargo, to pass through the disinfection prescribed by article 1 if their certificate of disinfection mentioned by article 3 is found to be out of date, and also as long as the city of Constantinople shall be considered as contaminated.