HH62/45/367

Transcription

[Page] 18

2. General enquiries have been made throughout the year in most parts of the
District to ascertain its condition, and very many special inspections were made in
connection with proposed water-supplies, drainage, and the supervision of infectious
diseases. No certificates under the Public Health Acts were granted during the
year. The District Committee recognising its responsibilities under the Factory
and Workshops' Acts, appointed the Chief Medical Officer and Sanitary Inspector
Inspectors under these Acts, and in consequence most of the Workshops in the
District have been visited and particulars of the premises, and those employed in
them, registered. Factories have been visited with a view to ascertain the provision
made for escape in the event of a fire occurring.
3. Advice was given in connection with Water and Drainage schemes, also in
the arrangement for the accommodation of Infectious cases in the Perth Royal
Infirmary.
Retail Bakehouses. - These have been visited during the year and found
in a satisfactory condition, the cleanliness of the premises receiving careful attention.
One bakehouse was closed during the year, and one new one opened.
5. During the past year 41 patients suffering from Infectious Diseases were
removed to the Perth Royal Infirmary from the Perth District. The Medical
Officer has no supervision over the management of the Infirmary, or treatment of
cases in the Institution. The Portable Hospital has not yet been required for
Smallpox. At one time when the Infirmary Scarlet Fever Wards were overfull, the
Directors received permission to erect the Portable Hospital as a convalescent house,
and it suited its purpose very well.
6. The usual precautions were taken during the year to prevent the spread of
Infectious Diseases, and the results prove these to have been effectual, as the total
number of cases reported during 1897 was 23 under that of the previous year. This is
especially noticeable in connection with Diphtheria, the cases during 1897
being less than half of those of the previous year, and only one-sixth of those of
1895.
Respiratory Diseases caused 36 deaths during 1897, as compared with 46 in
1896. Of the 36 deaths 19 occurred in persons over 60 years of age, and 9 in
children under 1 year.
Circulatory Diseases caused 31 deaths during 1897, as compared with 38 in
1896. Of these 31 deaths 20 occurred in persons over 60 years of age.
Tubercular Diseases caused 48 deaths during 1897, as compared with 36 in
1896. Of the 48 deaths 36 were due to Pulmonary Consumption whilst the deaths
from other Tubercular Diseases remained the same as in 1896, 12.
Nervous Diseases caused 36 deaths during 1897, as compared with 25 in 1896.
Of these 36 deaths 23 occurred in persons over 60 years of age.
Diseases of the Digestive System caused 15 deaths during 1897, as compared
with 25 in 1896.
Cancer and Malignant Diseases caused 18 deaths during 1897, as compared
with 17 in 1896.
Old Age was the cause of death in 39 instances, as compared with 35 in
1896.
Violence caused 11 deaths during 1897, as compared with the same number
in 1896.
Developmental Diseases caused 17 deaths during 1897. Of these 10 were
attributed to premature birth. In 1896 the number was 21.

[Note] 366

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Zymotic Diseases caused 26 deaths during 1897, as compared with 13 in 1896.
The number of cases notified during the year was 110, as compared with 133 in
1896, showing a satisfactory reduction.
Diphtheria. - There was only one death from this disease during the year.
The number of cases notified was 7, as compared with 15 in 1896. Three of the
seven cases were removed to Hospital.
Scarlet Fever caused 4 deaths during 1897, as compared with 3 in 1896. The
number of cases of the disease notified was 71, as compared with 78 in 1896. Forty-
one patients suffering from Scarlet Fever were removed to Hospital, as compared
with 23 in 1896. The disease at no time assumed alarming proportions, and the
type of the disease was mild, with the exception of that which occurred at Scone.
Enteric Fever caused 4 deaths during 1897, as compared with the same number
in 1896. The number of cases reported during the year was 15, as compared with
17 in 1896. Of these 17, 4 received Hospital treatment. Bankfoot and Stanley, as
in former years, contributed to the Enteric Fever death-roll, and Scone has begun
to follow their example.
Measles caused 2 deaths in 1897. The disease was prevalent, but on the
whole its type was mild.
Whooping-Cough caused 8 deaths during 1897. The disease was very pre-
valent, and, as usual, the mortality was confined to those of tender years - the
majority of the fatal cases occurring in the Methven and Scone Districts.
Diarrhoea caused 7 deaths during 1897, as compared with 6 in 1896. The fatal
cases were distributed over the District.
Deaths in which the cause of death was uncertified, or insufficiently stated, were
8 in 1897, as compared with 16 in 1896.

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