HH62/45/203

Transcription

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on the occurrence of cases of Enteric Fever, both within and without the Burgh, that
practical steps were taken to put the sewage irrigation works on a sound footing.
The necessity for providing a proper water supply for a large tract of country to the
east of Crieff was under the consideration of the District Committee during the
year, though from the failure of the inhabitants to agree as to the exact area, and the
absence of a properly drawn up requisition to the District Committee to form the
area into a Special Water Supply District, nothing definite was accomplished. Two
essential points have, however, been prominently brought out; first, that there is an
urgent need for a water supply; and second, that an abundant supply of pure water
is obtainable at a reasonable cost. In these circumstances there is little reason to
doubt that a plentiful supply of pure water will soon be provided.
2. During the year general enquiries have been made with a view to ascertain
the sanitary condition of the District, and special visits were frequently required to
investigate the source and secure the isolation of cases of infectious disease.
In spring a case of Smallpox was discovered in Muthill (the patient had come
from Glasgow for a change), and it was only by the exercise of constant vigilance that
the disease was prevented from spreading at a time when, had it done so, the
reputation of the District as a health resort would have been seriously injured. It
was well for the Central District that, having a Portable Hospital stored and ready
to accommodate such cases, it was possible to thoroughly isolate the first case on
short notice.
In Dunning, cases of Diphtheria have occurred from time to time, and have
caused considerable anxiety. The origin of these cases seems to be the antiquated
drainage system, which is entirely unfit to cope with the necessities of such a large
village possessing a gravitation water supply. The only remedy will be to form the
place into a Special Drainage District, under which the drainage might be re-
modelled and brought up to modern requirements.
3. Advice was required in connection with the occurrence of cases of infectious
disease within the District. No certificates have been required to be granted under
the Public Health Acts, nor has action been necessary in connection with the
sanitary condition of Factories and Workshops.
4. The Retail Bakehouses under the jurisdiction of the District Committee have
been inspected during the year; they were all found to be kept in good order, and
where young persons were found employed, the fact was reported to the Inspector of
Factories. By the formation of Auchterarder into a Burgh, the Bakehouses situated
within the Village now cease to be under the jurisdiction of the Central District
Committee. This reduces the number of Retail Bakehouses to 14. Two of the
Bakehouses are in new premises, which are admirably suited for the purpose.
5. During the past year, the arrangement by which the Perth Royal Infirmary
has been made the Infectious Hospital for the Central District, was found to
work satisfactorily. Seventeen patients were removed, and all made good recoveries.
The District Medical Officer has had ample opportunities of supervising the treatment
and isolation of patients in the Infirmary. When the Smallpox case occurred at
Muthill, the Portable Hospital was erected in a field near the Village, and the
patient removed thither without delay. The District Medical Officer had full
supervision of all arrangements in connection with the Hospital, the local medical
man being employed to attend on the patient.
6. Since March the Infectious Disease Notification Act has been in operation in
the Central District, and has been of much service in securing the prompt isolation
and, where necessary, removal of those suffering from infectious disease. As the

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medical men in the District have all along been in the habit of working hand in hand
with the District Medical Officer, no difficulty was experienced in securing full
notifications of the cases. By the removal of insanitary conditions, and the provision
of pure water supplies in place of those regarded with suspicion, much has been done
to prevent the occurrence of infectious disease, and, when such disease has occurred,
measures have been promptly taken to protect the public from danger.
Respiratory Diseases caused 26 deaths, or 10.9 per cent. of the total in 1894,
as compared with 38 in 1893. Of the 26 deaths, 11 occurred in persons over 60
years of age, and in 3 the age was under 1 year. Sickness returns show that 32.1
per cent. of the total was due to this class of diseases.
Circulatory Diseases caused 31 deaths, or 13.0 per cent. of the total during
1894, as compared with 41 in 1893. Of these 31 deaths, 25 were in persons over 60
years of age. Sickness returns show that 8.0 per cent. of the total was due to this
class of diseases.
Tubercular Diseases caused 36 deaths, or 15.1 per cent. of the total, as com-
pared with 30 in 1893. Of these 36 deaths, 29 were certified as due to Phthisis.
Sickness returns show that 4.2 per cent. of the total was due to this class of diseases.
During 1894, as in 1893, Auchterarder stands prominent by the large number of
deaths returned from it as due to Tubercle; the Local Authority of the new
Burgh will require to do their utmost if they wish to present a health report such
as a village in the situation of Auchterarder ought to show, for 1895. In so far as
the Central District is concerned, we may fairly anticipate, from the removal of the
Auchterarder contingent, a considerable improvement in the Tubercular Death-Rate
during 1895.
Diseases of the Nervous System caused 34 deaths, or 14.3 per cent. of the
total, during 1894, as compared with 30 in 1893. Of these 34 deaths, 24 occurred in
persons over 60 years of age. Sickness returns show that 11.4 per cent. of the total
was due to this class of diseases.
Diseases of the Digestive System caused 13 deaths, or 5.4 per cent. of the
total, during 1894, as compared with 18 in 1893. Sickness returns show that 30.3
per cent. of the total was due to this class of diseases.
Rheumatic Diseases caused 1 death during 1894. Sickness returns show that
8.1 per cent. of the total was due to this class of diseases.
Cancer and Malignant Diseases caused 14 deaths, or 5.9 per cent. of the
total, as compared with 13 in 1893. Of those who died from this class of diseases in
1894, 4 were males and 10 females.
Developmental Diseases caused 6 deaths during 1894; 4 of these were due
to premature birth.
Old Age was the cause of death in 27 instances, or 11.3 per cent. of the total.
In 1893 the number was 19.
Violence caused 7 deaths during 1894, as compared with 5 in 1893.
Zymotic Diseases caused 15 deaths in 1894, as compared with 16 in 1893.
The Zymotic Death-Rate was 1.07 in 1894, against 1.135 in 1893.
Smallpox .- In April the Central District Committee was unfortunately put
to considerable expense by the discovery of a case of Smallpox in a house in Muthill.
The patient was a visitor who had come from Glasgow for change of air. Fortunately
the nature of the illness was discovered in time to prevent the disease from spreading
amongst the inhabitants. Immediately the disease was recognised a nurse was put
in charge of the case, and as soon as the Portable Hospital was ready for occupation
the patient was removed to it. To prevent the disease from spreading, everyone who

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