HH62/45/365

Transcription

[Page] 16

The Infectious Disease Notification Act has during the past, as in former years,
been only partially successful in its objects, as in outlying districts cases of scarlet
fever have again and again been discovered which had not been recognised. The new
Public Health Act will to a certain extent remove this tendency to overlook slight
cases of infectious illness, as under Section 57 it is rendered illegal, under a heavy
penalty, for the teacher of a school or the guardian of a child who has suffered from
any infectious disease, or has been an inmate of a house in which such disease has
existed, to allow the child to return to school within three months unless a medical
certificate is produced certifying that the child is free from infection, and that the
house, &c., have been satisfactorily disinfected. When teachers insist, for their own
protection, on these certificates it will necessarily lead to suspicious cases
being medically examined who otherwise would escape. When it is stated
that this section not only applies to notifiable diseases, but to all infectious
diseases, its far-reaching beneficial effects can be well imagined. To give
full efficacy to the working of the above section, the Local Authorities should have
the services of a medical man retained in every parish or group of parishes, who could
grant certificates to those unable or unwilling to pay for them. In the Central and
Western Districts the machinery for working the section is complete, as the Assistant
Medical Officers are available.
The new Act gives great power to Local Authorities in dealing with infectious
disease. The Medical Officer is, under Section 45, empowered to enter any premises
where he has reason to suppose that infectious disease exists, and further, to examine
any person in the premises in order to ascertain whether they are suffering or have
recently suffered from infectious disease. Under Section 47, the disinfection of
infected houses and clothing is put on a very satisfactory footing. Under Section
54, removal to Hospital of those suffering from infectious disease, where satisfactory
isolation cannot be provided at home, is made compulsory. Under Section 59, it is
made illegal for any owner or person in charge of a public conveyance knowingly to
carry any person suffering from any infectious disease, as well as for the person who
knowingly enters any such carriage whilst so suffering. The penalty for infringing
the provisions of this section is £10. If this section be properly enforced, it will have
a marked effect for good in preventing the dissemination of scarlet fever.
The protection of the public from infected milk supplies is very fully provided for
under the new Act. Should a source of milk supply be suspected of causing or
spreading infectious disease, it is imperative that the premises and everyone connected
with them be examined, and the result reported forthwith to the Local Authority.
Under Section 181 Rural Local Authorities are empowered to make Bye-laws
for the regulation of the building and rebuilding of houses; this is a new power, and
supplies what was felt to be a grave defect in the past. These Bye-laws are to be
drawn up under seven heads, all of which deal with matters essential for the securing
of healthy houses. The drawing up of these Bye-laws will require careful consideration
for such a county as Perthshire, as whilst they must secure what is absolutely
necessary, they must not be in any way prohibitive in their requirements. After
plans have been submitted and approved by the Local Authorities, it will be necessary
to ensure that they are faithfully carried out; this can only be done by the appointment
of an Inspector, who will devote his whole time to this work throughout the county.
I must again gratefully acknowledge the courtesy and consideration extended to
me by the County Council, and District Committees, during the past year.
JOHN T. GRAHAM,
County Medical Officer.
31st March, 1898.

[Note] 364

Perth District.

The population of the Perth District, estimated to the middle of 1897, was
20,474. During the year there were 544 Births (271 males and 273 females), and
294 Deaths registered, giving a Birth-Rate of 26.57, and a Death-Rate of 14.35, as
compared with a Birth-Rate of 25.47 and a Death-Rate of 14.36 in 1896. The
Natural Increase of the population during 1897 was 250 as compared with 229 in
1896. There were 134 Deaths in persons over 60 years of age in 1897, as compared
with 153 in 1896; and in children under 1 year there were 42 deaths, of which 17
were attributed to Developmental Causes, giving an Infant Mortality of 77.2, as
compared with 83.8 in 1896. Zymotic Diseases caused 26 deaths during 1897, as
compared with 15 in 1896, thus giving a Zymotic Death-Rate of 1.26, as compared
with .630 in 1896.
The general health of the inhabitants of the Perth District during the past
year has been good, the Death-Rate and Infant Mortality have been low. The
number of infectious cases reported duirng the year shows a considerable reduc-
tion, especially in Diphtheria, and the higher number of deaths from Zymotic
Diseases is mainly due to prevailing epidemics of Measles and Whooping-Cough.
The contract for the water supply of the Wester Errol Special District has,
after many difficulties, been placed in the contractors' hands, and all that is required
to complete the large undertaking is the construction of the storage reservoirs and
the laying of the pipes.
As regards the Scone Special Water District, after everything seemed to be in
train for a speedy completion of this important work, the Committee appointed to
carry out the work have delayed doing so, for some unaccountable reason best known
to themselves. It will be the duty of the District Committee to call on their Sub-
Committee to give an account of their proceedings, and to urge on the completion
of the scheme with as little delay as possible. The village is growing rapidly, and a
pure water supply is much required.
The Burghmuir Special Water District has been completed, a supply of water
being obtained from the Perth City supply, the Sub-Committee entrusted with the
carrying out of this work having faced it with commendable expedition.
The complete drainage of Scone, which was remitted to the Special Drainage
Sub-Committee to carry out, has evidently followed the fate of the water supply,
the reason assigned for delay being that some difficulty was experienced in obtaining
land for the proposed purification works; but, even were this not to be got, there is
no reaon why the other portion of the proposed works should not be proceeded
with, the latter being what is essential for the health of the villagers.
At Methven some works have been carried out with a view to improve the
drainage of the village.
At Stanley private enterprise has aided in the improvement of the village
drainage, and it seems as if this were the only way open, seeing that the decision of
the Sheriff has tied the hands of the Local Authority.

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