HH62/45/103

Transcription

[Page] 12

Scarlet Fever caused 1 death (last year the same). This case was the first of a
rather serious outbreak of the disease in a village. The infection had been
brought to the place by a convalescent visitor, 21 children were attacked, and it was
only by wholesale removal to hospital that the disease was eventually stamped out.
With the exception of 2, all the cases were of a mild type. In all, 14 of the
patients were taken to hospital. Besides these, 11 other cases of the disease were
reported during the year, of whom 3 were removed to hospital. All were traced to
infection brought from outside, they were scattered over the District, but the disease
did not spread from them.
Enteric Fever caused 3 deaths, the same number as last year. Two of those
deaths were in a village, in which 5 cases occurred about the same time. Two of
the cases were removed to hospital and did well. During the year 10 cases of
the disease were reported, but with the exception of the above they were isolated
cases, and their origin was traced to local insanitary conditions, or infection caught
elsewhere.
Measles caused 1 death, an infant's. The disease was very prevalent in Findo-
Gask and Abernethy Parishes, but was of a very mild type.
Whooping Cough caused no deaths during the year.
No deaths occurred from Diarrhoea, the low temperature being unfavourable to
the germination of the poison producing it.
During 1892, regular Monthly Returns have been received from the 27 District
Registrars, whom I would take this opportunity of thanking for their valuable
assistance.

[Note] 102

Central District.

1. The Sanitary Condition of the Central District compares very favourably with
last year. In the villages especially this is to be observed, the various scavengers
appointed having had a very good effect on the surroundings of houses. These men
were not appointed to do private scavenging in the way of cleaning ash-pits, &c., but in
practice it has been found that any offence of this nature pointed out by the local
Sanitary Inspector has at once been removed by the scavenger. The good effect
of the cleaning of the villages is seen by noting the total Death-rate for the year
1892, which is 16.6 against 23.3 in 1891, and the Infant Mortality of 68.2 in 1892
against 92.6 in 1891. Over the whole District the Death-rate has fallen from 22.12
in 1891 to 17.5 in 1892.
Auchterarder still evaded being formed into a Special Water and Drainage
District by the petition of a portion of the inhabitants to the Sheriff to have the
village formed into a Burgh. This has not, however, been accomplished, and the
District Committee should lose no further time in giving effect to the other petition
desiring the formation of Auchterarder into a Special Water and Drainage District,
as, until this has been done, no permanent improvement is probable. It would be
better for the place that the management of its sanitary affairs should remain in the
hands of the District Committee than that another independent unit, in the shape
of a small burgh, should be created to hamper the progress of sanitation.
Special attention has been directed to the many Water-supplies throughout the
District, especially where these were derived from wells, and the recommendations
given for the improvement of them have been, or are in process of being, carried
out.
Public Schools have received considerable attention. In one case the ventilation
and heating were found to be defective, and the matter was brought before the
School Board, with a view to rectification.
The Bye-Laws relating to the Sale of Milk have come into force in the District,
and have already effected a marked improvement upon the condition of the premises
where dairy operations are carried on.
Several Slaughter-Houses used for trade purposes have been examined during
the year, and found to be in a most deplorable condition as regards sanitation.
Measures to ensure cleansing and keeping in a better condition were taken. When
the Bye-Laws for Slaughter-Houses, at present before the District Committee, are
adopted, a total reconstruction of not a few such premises will be required.
The local Medical and Sanitary Staff have given much time to the improve-
ment of the sanitary condition of the District, and a gradual but very considerable
change for the better has been the result.
2. During the year General Inspections have been made in the District,
defects have been pointed out, and improvements noted. In connection
with insanitary conditions, many Special Inspections have been made and advice
given, which has in all cases been taken, and improvements carried out as the result.
Several Visits were made in connection with Infectious Diseases, when, along with
the local Medical Officers, such precautions were taken as to prevent the further
spread or recurrence of the disease.

[Note] 103