HH62/45/267

Transcription

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been frequently in use for the treatment of Small-pox, Scarlet Fever, Enteric Fever,
and Diphtheria during the year, and has given complete satisfaction in every respect,
except that it has been placed too far from the Village of Killin for conveniently
obtaining supplies and medical attendance; there is, however, a desire amongst the
residenters that the Hospital should be moved to a site nearer the village, and this
would much facilitate the administration. A very suitable site having been secured
for the other Hospital at Wellpark, near Dunblane, an acre of ground was fenced in and
the building erected there; as plenty of good water is available and the site in every
way suitable, it would be a good place on which to erect a permanent building if this
were decided upon. The Wellpark Hospital has never been required since it was
erected there.
6. To check the spread of Infectious Disease it has been a matter of routine to
urge the removal of the sick to Hospital whenever possible, and when this was not
consented to the cases were insolated at home. In connection with some of the cases
of Enteric Fever, the want of compulsory power to remove was the cause of several
members of the family being infected. In connection with one case of Diphtheria
which could not be removed, a nurse was provided in order to ensure isolation. In
all cases disinfectants were supplied to infected families, and at the termination of the
illness the houses were thoroughly disinfected. The use of the County Ambulance
has been frequently taken advantage of during the year, and has proved a great
comfort in the removal of patients. As the arrangement by which the other four
Districts are entitled to send their infectious cases to the Perth Royal Infirmary will
shortly expire, and a new agreement will have to be made, it would be well if the
Western District Committee would join with the other Districts in combining for
hospital accommodation, as it has been found that the small Portable Hospitals,
although exceedingly convenient, are more costly than could be wished, and that
patients could be treated in a larger Hospital for about half the cost.
There were two vacancies in the local Medical Staff, one at Killin and the other
at Dunblane. The former was filled by the appointment of Dr. Wilson, who has
given much valuable assistance since his appointment, and the other by Dr. Howatson,
of Dunblane.
Respiratory Diseases caused 16 deaths, or 11.1 per cent. of the total, during
1895, as compared with 17 in 1894. In nine of these the age at death was over 60
years, and in two the age was under one year. Sickness returns show that 19.1 per
cent. of the total was due to this class of diseases.
Circulatory Diseases caused 16 deaths, or 11.1 per cent. of the total, during 1895,
as compared with 19 in 1894. Of these, 16 deaths 13 occurred in persons over 60
years of age. Sickness returns show that 4.1 per cent. of the total was due to this
class of disease.
Tubercular Diseases caused 15 deaths, or 10.4 per cent. of the total, during
1895, as compared with 21 in 1894. Of these 15 deaths, 13 were attributed to
Pulmonary Consumption. Sickness returns show that 1.6 per cent. of the total was
due to this class of diseases. The percentage both of sickness and mortality from
Tubercular Disease show a marked improvement during the past year.
Diseases of the Nervous System caused 14 deaths, or 9.7 per cent. of the total,
during 1895, as compared with 18 in 1894. Of these 14 deaths, 12 occurred in persons
over 60 years of age. Sickness returns show that 7.2 per cent. of the total was due
to this class of disease.
Diseases of the Digestive System caused 11 deaths, or 7.6 per cent. of the
total during 1895, as compared with 6 in 1894. Sickness returns show that 21.5 per
cent. of the total was due to this class of disease.

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Cancer and Malignant Diseases caused 4 deaths during 1895, as compared
with 6 in 1894.
Developmental Diseases caused 5 deaths during 1895, as compared with 8 in
1894. Of these 5, 3 were due to Premature Birth.
Old Age. - This was the cause of death in 21 instances during 1895, as compared
with 20 in 1894.
Violence was the cause of 5 deaths during 1895, as compared with 12 in 1894.
Zymotic Diseases caused 19 deaths during 1895, as compared with 8 in 1894.
The Zymotic Death-rate was 1.91, as compared with .80 in 1894. The increased
number of deaths due to this class of diseases come under the headings of Diphtheria
and Diarrhoea.
Smallpox. - There was only one case of this disease during 1895. The patient
was a young man who had an exceedingly slight attack; he had been travelling some
time previous to his sickening, so that it was probable he caught infection during his
travels. As soon as the disease was recognised, the patient was removed to the
Glenoglehead Hospital, where he made a good recovery. There was no spread of
the disease.
Scarlet Fever caused 2 deaths during 1895, the same number as in 1894.
There was no epidemic of the disease, the cases occurring in small groups and never
spreading to any extent. Forty cases of the disease were reported during the year,
of whom 8 were removed to the Hospital. In 1894 the number of cases reported
was 73.
Enteric Fever caused 2 deaths during 1895, as compared with the same number
in 1894. During 1895, 7 cases of the disease were reported, as compared with 15 in
1894. With the exception of a small group of cases which occurred in a family in
Tyndrum, the cases were of a sporadic type, and were due to some insanitary
conditions, which were remedied.
Diphtheria caused 8 deaths. During 1895 there were 39 cases of the disease
reported, as compared with 11 in 1894. The majority of the cases occurred in
Balquhidder and Killin districts. In the former place, disease was due to damp houses
and bad drainage, which causes were remedied, one house being condemned as unfit
for human habitation. In the latter a remedy will be found when the Killin Special
Drainage District is completed, the work being expedited in consequence of the out-
break of the disease.
Diarrhoea caused 6 deaths during 1895, as compared with 1 in 1894.
Whooping Cough caused only one death during 1895.
Deaths in which the cause of death was uncertified, or insufficiently stated, were
9, as compared with 10 in 1894.

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