HH62/45/69

Transcription

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Two large contracts are in process in the District, viz., that portion of the
West Highland Railway which passes from Inverarnon to Tyndrum, and the
Glasgow Water Works Extension in the Parish of Aberfoyle. Considerable attention
has been given to the sanitary condition of the huts erected by the several Contractors
for the accommodation of their navvies. Many improvements have been suggested
and carried out, and it has not been found necessary to place the huts on the
Common Lodging-House Register. The worst feature about them now is that
the cubic air space is much below that required by the law; but when the airy
situation, and abundant provision for ventilation of the huts is taken into consideration,
along with the out-door employment of the men, and the temporary nature of the
structures, there seem to be no reasonable grounds for interference.
If in addition to the enforcement of the Regulations for Dairies, Cowsheds, &c.,
the District Committee would devote special attention to the sanitary condition of
the various villages in the District, with regard to scavengering and the disposal of
house refuse, by the end of another year it would be plainly felt that a distinct
advance had been made in sanitary matters
2. During the year general inspections of the District have been made, in the
course of which the soil, geological formation, water supplies, and general house
accommodation were noted; also the sanitary condition of the houses. Special
enquiries have been necessitated on several occasions in consequence of complaints
regarding water pollution, and occurrences of infectious disease. On two of these
occasions serious results amongst the navvies on the West Highland Railway were
prevented by the energetic action of the Contractors' Medical Officer, Dr. Kay, and
the kindness of the Contractors, Messrs. Lucas & Aird, who provided nursing and
accommodation for the patients.
3. No certificates have been required under the Public Health Act. On several
occasions advice was given regarding water supplies and insanitary dwellings, but
further proceedings were never required. No offensive trades have been brought
under notice, nor has the sanitary condition of workshops and factories demanded
attention.
The opinion of the Chief District Medical Officer was asked as to whether the
retention of the services of the local Medical Staff was necessary, and the Public
Health Sub-Committee appointed accordingly six Sub-District Medical Officers,
who have in some instances given valuable assistance in combating with, and
stamping out infectious disease. In the matter of the distribution and cause of
disease in their own localities these local officials have also given much useful
information.
Advice has also been given regarding provision for accommodation of persons
suffering from infectious disease, but as yet nothing definite has been adopted by the
Committee.
4. Retail Bakehouses. - These are four in number, and have been put into good
order. In one case extensive repairs were executed, and in another case an ashpit
was removed which was too near the bakehouse. Thereafter regular lime washing
was ordered, and the bakehouses may now be considered to be in a satisfactory state
of cleanliness and repair. One young person was found to be employed, and was
reported to H.M. Inspector of Factories. The majority of bakehouses in this
District are situated within the bounds of the Burghs, and are therefore beyond the
jurisdiction of the rural Local Authority.

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5. No Hospital has as yet been erected in the District for the reception of persons
suffering from infectious disease, neither has any arrangement been made whereby
such cases can be admitted into Hospitals outside of the District. As the provision
of such accommodation is an urgent necessity, it behoves the Committee to come to
a decision regarding this matter without delay. During the year a suggestion was
made that the use of the Perth Royal Infirmary, where there are 60 available beds,
should be obtained; but this arrangement has not yet been carried out, as Perth was
considered too distant for practical purposes. The distance is certainly great in some
instances, but the necessity for removal from these outlying districts would occur but
rarely; and even from them - if the cases were reported at an early stage of the
disease - there would be no difficulty in removal by means of a proper ambulance
waggon, especially if it could be placed on a carriage truck and conveyed by rail.
The Perth Infirmary Directors have opened their doors to receive any cases of
infectious disease sent from the Directors of Perthshire, but in so far as the Western
District has been concerned it has not been required to make use of that Institution.
The Directors have further made a very generous offer which, for a small outlay,
would make provision for the treatment of infectious diseases (except smallpox) for a
period of five years, at the end of which period it would be seen whether or not it
would be necessary to burden the District with the erection and maintenance of a
separate Infectious Diseases Hospital. The accommodation in the Perth Royal
Infirmary for infectious cases consists of one detached block containing two wards,
each capable of holding nine beds, and allowing 106 square feet of floor and 1,590 cubic
feet of air space to each patient. Each ward is heated by a Galton's fireplace, which,
while warming the room, also aids the ventilation. There are fresh air inlets by
Sheringham's valves near the ceiling, and free exit for foul air by shafts in the roof,
besides six large windows in each ward, extending nearly to the ceiling and opening
at the top, so that ample additional ventilation can be obtained by perflation.
The baths, &c., are in perfect order, and there is also in this block a kitchen, and
accommodation for nurses. In another detached building are four wards, each
capable of accommodating ten patients, giving to each patient a floor space of over 100
square feet and 1,500 cubic feet of air space. The upper wards in this block have
been so arranged that they can, when required, be completely shut off from the rest
of the building, in which case the only access is by a door opening to the outer air.
These wards are heated and ventilated in the same manner as the first-mentioned,
and there is kitchen and nurses' accommodation, while the sanitary appliances are all
of recent introduction. In the lower wards of this block there is ample room for
treating 20 cases of enteric fever; the heating and ventilating are after the same
fashion, excepting that the foul air is carried in flues to the roof of the house.
Besides the large wards there is an isolated room which is used for observation of
doubtful cases; in it there are two beds. Thus it will be seen that there are, in all, 60
beds available for the reception of fever cases, of these 40 are completely isolated,
and 20 are partially so and could be used for enteric fever cases. To make this
accommodation fully available, a Steam Laundry and Disinfector require to be
erected, without which no Infectious Diseases Hospital is now considered perfect.
The erection of these will cost a considerable sum, but the Infirmary Directors
are willing to pay one half of this, and to treat all cases sent to them by the various
District Committees during a period of five years, on condition that the Local
Authorities share the other half of the expense of erection. It is the intention of
the Directors to put in one of the largest size of Goddard, Massey, & Warner's Hot
Air and Steam Disinfectors, which will be available for the purpose of disinfecting
heavy articles such as bedding, &c.

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