HH62/2/ROXBUR/33

Transcription

[Page] 32

stand, no difficulty in obtaining the use of more beds. As yet
arrangements have not been made for the transport of patients.
CASES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE. - Two cases of enteric fever
in Denholm were derived from Minto parish, and although
isolation and disinfection could not be thoroughly carried out,
the disease did not spread.
BAKEHOUSES. - One in Denholm was visited and found in a
satisfactory state, except as regards cleanliness, and the baker
was warned that in future greater attention to this matter
would be expected of him.
SLAUGHTER-HOUSES. - Two in Denholm are small, and not
satisfactory in every detail; but, as in other districts, the
absence of bye-laws, and the fact that the trade was com-
menced in former times in premises unsanctioned by the local
authority, accounts for the insufficiency of the buildings.
GENERAL SANITATION - With the exception of the outlying
parts of Teviothead, every parish has been visited. As many
"house-to-house" visitations have not been made as in other
districts, owing to the Inspector's time being fully occupied.
After an examination of the places, I was of opinion that
Denholm was not quite so bad as other villages, and could
afford to wait while more insanitary villages were dealt with;
but as Wilton Dean, a small suburb of Hawick, appeared not
to be in so good a condition, the Inspector made a house-to-
house inspection, and will doubtless report when it is com-
pleted. The work he did, however, showed that many houses
were damp, and that there was the same absence of privy
accommodation, ashpits, drains, and house sinks that is so
characteristic of the other villages inspected. At the request
of the School Board, I visited Roberton and Hobkirk schools,
and reported on some matters connected with sanitation that
were then under discussion.

LIDDESDALE DISTRICT.
POPULATION. - Liddesdale is in many respects different from
the other districts, consisting of but one parish, and having

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only one village, Newcastleton. The chief occupation is
sheep farming, and there is but little arable land. Of the
2013 persons who form the population of the District, about
1000 live in Newcastleton, and are generally comparatively
poor. The density of the population is 19 person to a square mile.
BIRTHS. - The birth-rate for the year 1891 is 31·814.
MARRIAGES. - There were 11 marriages in 1891.
DEATHS. - In the year 1891 there were 31 deaths, equal to
a rate of 15·41 per 1000 persons living, and in the last five
months of the year there were 12 deaths, equal to an annual
death-rate of 14·138; of these 12 deaths, 8 were deaths of
persons over 60 years of age (66·6 per cent.) In the same
period there were three deaths of children under five years of
age, giving a rate per 1000 persons living of 3·50 - that is to
say, that a greater proportion of children died in this District
than in any other. Whooping-cough and influenza caused
5 deaths. The zymotic rate is 3·5, higher than in the other
districts, but only due to 3 deaths. Very little dependence
is to be placed on averages deduced from such small popula-
tions as this. It is yet well to record them, and after five or
ten years their value may be estimated with more accuracy.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE. - There were no cases of infectious
disease known to me in this District. Hospital accommoda-
tion is not available.
BAKEHOUSES AND SLAUGHTER-HOUSES. - The above were
visited, and were fairly satisfactory. The businesses appeared
to be cleanly conducted, and no objection was taken.
GENERAL SANITATION.- All the farms in the District have
not as yet been inspected; on several occasions I have made
inspections in Newcastleton. The District Committee employ
a scavenger, and the streets are clean; the scavenger,
however, deposited all the refuse in the river until I drew
attention to the circumstance, when the Committee ordered
it to be disposed of elsewhere. Many houses have byres or
pigstyes built against them, and have large collections of
manure near them. I reported this to the District Com-