HH62/45/379

Transcription

[Page] 30

3. Advice was given in connection with complaints as to insanitary con-
ditions also in connection with alleged overcrowding of some houses in
Aberfoyle, whilst the arrangements whereby cases of Infectious Disease might be
admitted to Perth Royal Infirmary were completed. No certificates were necessary
under the Public Health Acts during the past year. The Western District Com-
mittee appointed the Chief Medical Officer and Sanitary Inspector Inspectors under
the Factory and Workshops' Acts, and as a result all of the Workshops and Factories
in the District have been visited, and particulars obtained for making a complete
register of them. At the request of H. M. Inspector of Factories one Factory was
specially visited, and the latrines inspected with a view to a better system being
introduced.
4. Retail Bakehouses. - These have been visited during the year and found in
good order. The Deanston Bakehouse is again in operation.
5. The Western District Committee have now joined with the other four Dis-
tricts in securing a right to send patients suffering from Infectious illness to Perth
Royal Infirmary; most of the cases removed were sent there during the past year,
14 patients having been admitted. One patient was treated in the Committee's
Hospital near Killin, and as the mother was able to act as nurse, the arrangement
was satisfactory. The Hospital near Dunblane has not been used since its erection.
The Medical Officer has no supervision over the management of the Perth Royal
Infirmary, but the Hospitals belonging to the District Committee are entirely under
his supervision.
6. The usual precautions were taken during the past year to prevent the outbreak
or to check the spread of infectious disease. From the large reduction in the number
of Diphtheria cases during the past two years it is evident that satisfactory work has
been accomplished in improving the condition of the dwellings of the people. Infectious
cases, so soon as reported, have been carefully isolated at home, or removed to
Hospital, disinfectants being supplied, and directions given as to their use.
Respiratory Diseases caused 23 deaths during 1897, as compared with 14 in
1896. Of these, 11 occurred in persons over 60 years of age, and 4 in children under
1 year. Sickness returns show that 30.5 per cent of the total was due to these
diseases.
Circulatory Diseases caused 22 deaths during 1897, as compared with 25 in
1896. Of these, 11 deaths occurred in persons over 60 years of age. Sickness returns
show that 10.4 per cent. of the total was due to Circulatory Diseases.
Tubercular Diseases caused 26 deaths, as compared with 17 in 1896. Of these
26 deaths 15 were due to Pulmonary Consumption. Sickness returns show that 4.3
per cent. of the total was due to Tubercular Disease.
Nervous Diseases caused 21 deaths during 1897, as against 16 in 1896. Of these,
15 deaths occurred in persons over 60 years of age. Sickness returns show that 11.8
per cent. of the total was due to Nervous Diseases.
Digestive Diseases caused 8 deaths during 1897, as compared with 6 in 1896.
Sickness returns show that 42.8 per cent. of the total was due to Digestive Diseases.
Cancer and Malignant Diseases caused 4 deaths during 1897, as against 8 in
1896.
Old Age was the cause of death in 20 instances. The number attributed to this
cause in 1896 was 21.
Violence caused 8 deaths during 1897, as compared with 5 in 1896.

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Zymotic Diseases caused 9 deaths during 1897, as compared with 6 in 1896.
The Zymotic Death-rate was .898, as against .601 in 1896. The number of cases
notified to the Department was 68, as against 35 in 1896.
Scarlet Fever caused 4 deaths during 1897. The number of cases of the disease
reported was 52, as compared with 15 in 1896. There were 14 patients suffering from
Scarlet Fever removed to Hospital - 13 to Perth, and 1 to the Killin Hospital. The
disease was again and again introduced, but, excepting in the Aberfoyle District, it
was easily checked. In the latter place the disease had existed in two adjoining
houses for some considerable time, and a fatal case made it necessary to call in a
medical man, who at once recognised how matters stood. What aggravated the
matter considerably was the fact that the two families were each living in single rooms, as
they had let their proper houses and had gone, as is frequently the case, into summer
quarters; although there was really air space for all, the danger to the community
of this objectionable practice was clearly proved
Enteric Fever caused no deaths during 1897. There were 7 cases of the disease
notified, as compared with 2 in 1896. The cases were mostly isolated, and in several
instances infection was contracted outside of the district. At Ashfield it was found
that an unsatisfactory condition of the drainage existed, and this was rectified as soon
as the defects were pointed out to those responsible.
Diphtheria caused no deaths during 1897, and there were only 3 cases of the
disease notified, as compared with 16 in 1896. This is a highly satisfactory record,
as, a few years since, the reputation of the Western District for Diphtheria was
anything but enviable.
Measles caused 1 death during 1897. The disease was very prevalent, especially
in the Aberfoyle, Dunblane, and Killin districts.
Whooping-Cough caused 3 deaths during 1897. The disease was very prevalent
in the Port of Monteith district, all of the fatal cases occurring there.
Diarrhoea caused one death. In 1896 the number was the same.
Deaths in which the cause of death was uncertified, or insufficiently stated, were
only 4 during 1897, as compared with 8 in 1896.

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