HH62/45/67

Transcription

[Note] 66

COUNTY OF PERTH.

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
BY THE
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
OF THE
PERTH DISTRICT.
1891.

COUNTY OF PERTH

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT BY THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
OF THE
WESTERN DISTRICT.
1891.

1. The Western District has an area of 307,679 acres, and a population (exclusive
of the Burghs of Dunbale, Callander, and Doune) of 10,748, as ascertained at
the Census of 1891. The proportion of persons to the acre is ·034, or 29 acres
to each person. The Births during the year were 214, or 19·9 per 1000; and
the Deaths were 156, or 14·5 per 1000, showing a natural increase of 58 for the
year. Deaths under one year were 10, or 46·7 per 1000 births. Death over
60 years of age were 43.9% of the total. The death rate is the lowest of any
District in Perthshire. The Census of 1891 shows an increase of population in
this District during the preceding 10 years of 1,196, principally accounted for by
the presence of workmen employed on large contracts.
In this District it was found that sanitation had not been neglected under the
former Local Authorities, that the Sanitary Inspectors were intelligent and active
men, and altogether it compared favourably with the other Districts of Perthshire.
Throughout the District the supply of water is good, but in some cases rather
scanty in dry seasons.
There are several large villages in the District, but in none of these is a public
scavenger employed. In the villages of Deanston and Ashfield, however, the
respective proprietors provide for this work being done in a highly efficient manner.
It would be well for the Committee to follow this example, as, if employers find it to
be for their own advantage to provide means of cleanliness for their employees, it is
equally important that the general public should be protected by the District
Committee from the evil effects of insanitary surroundings.
The house accommodation is good, and there is ample provision for ventila-
tion; but in many instances ash-heaps, &c., were found in too close proximity to
dwelling-houses, and there is a regrettable want of sanitary conveniences. In many
houses there is also no provision for preventing rain-water running from the roof into
the earth outside the walls. This, with the absence of a damp-proof course in the
wall, causes an unhealthy dampness. Eeves-gutters should be supplied, and where
there is no sub-soil drainage this also should be carried out without delay.
The farm steadings when examined were not found to be in such good order as
might have been expected; the Diary Regulations, however, when they come into
force, will cause a vast improvement in this respect.

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