HH62/45/113

Transcription

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The local Inspectors were troubled a good deal during part of the year by house-
holders buying sheep when the price was exceedingly low, then slaughtering privately,
and disposing of the offal in the nearest ash-pit, where, in due time, it created a most
offensive nuisance.
2. During the year many General Inspections of localities in the District
have been made, and the sanitary condition noted. In connection with complaints of
insanitary conditions and polluted water-supplies, various Special Inspections were
made. On account of Infectious Diseases, a great deal of time had to be spent in
this District. The Committee having made no provision for the isolation of persons
suffering from the above, the work was thus rendered exceptionally difficult. How-
ever, it is only fair to add that, when the necessity arose, the Committee did all in
their power to help forward the work.
3. Advice has been given on several occasions regarding nuisances polluting, or
alleged to be polluting, water-supplies; as well as in connection with insanitary
dwelling-houses. In the latter the chief fault was caused by earth banked against
the back walls of the houses, and the entire absence of ventilation of the sleeper joists
of the floor. In the cases reported. excavations of the earth at the back of the houses
and free ventilation under the floors have been insisted upon.
No action has been called for in connection with Factories and Workshops during
the year.
One Cemetery was examined, and, at the request of the Committee, certified as
overcrowded and dangerous. Steps have been taken to have it closed.
4. Eight visits have been paid to the five Retail Bakehouses in the rural part of
the District. In all cases the premises have been put into good order, in one
especially, improvements on an extensive scale have been effected. Three young
persons found employed were reported to H.M. Inspector of Factories.
5. As before stated, the carrying out of the provisions of the Public Health
Act in regard to Infectious Disease, was rendered exceedingly difficult when a case
occurred. The first instance in which removal was required was a case of Scarlet
Fever, and the patient was taken to the Perth Royal Infirmary as the only available
place where the fever could be treated. The second case was in one of the huts on
the Glasgow Water-works Extension at Loch Dhu. To prevent the disease spreading
in these crowded huts, removal of the patient was absolutely necessary. Through the
kindness of the Medical Officer, and of those connected with its management, a small
hospital connected with the works was placed at our service. Thus, by the kindness
of outsiders, isolation was provided, and the disease stayed. The next case was one
of Enteric Fever which occurred at the Aberfoyle Slate Quarries, where a visitor to
one of the men was laid down in his lodgings. To secure isolation here, the
other members of the family were removed to another hut, the use of which
was kindly granted by the Managers of the Slate Quarries. The patient was
treated in the original house, a nurse and doctor being employed on behalf of
the District Committee. Here again there was no extension of the disease.
The next call upon the Committee for isolation was in connection with a tramp
who fell ill of Small-pox in a byre in Balquhidder Parish. No accommodation could
be got for him anywhere, except in a disused smithy. It was now that the District
Committee saw the necessity of making some provision, and a temporary iron
hospital was ordered to be erected without delay. This was found to answer its
purpose admirably, in spite of the exposed situation and the inclement weather of
November, it was easily warmed and very comfortable; it will now be stored
and reserved for the treatment of Small-pox. Since this, the Committee have not

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only been willing to provide accommodation, but have shown a degree of anxiety
to which their former apathy forms a strange contrast. They have endeavoured to
carry the Burghs in the District along with them, but in this they have not been
successful. Besides the above the Committee have procured a portable hospital,
capable of accommodating four patients and a nurse. If this proves a success,
and is not large enough for the wants of the District, it is proposed to secure
another similar building. Thus the question of providing for infectious cases
occurring in the Western District has been settled, and in a most satisfactory
manner.
6. To prevent the Outbreak of Infectious Disease, a good deal has been done in
having defective drainage remedied, and this has been most willingly carried out by
the proprietors interested. In those cases where no drainage existed the defect was
put right, on its necessity being pointed out. The chief danger to which the Western
District is exposed is from tramps. They have on three distinct occasions during the
year brought Infectious Disease into it, and that more cases did not occur is a matter
of surprise. Where cases of Infectious Disease occurred, they have been immediately
notified by the local Medical Officers, who, along with the local Sanitary Inspectors,
have done much good work during the year in superintending isolation.
The local Medical Officers have also sent Monthly Returns of Sickness, accom-
panied by remarks on the sanitary condition of their various Districts. Much valuable
help in the prevention of the outbreak and spread of Infectious Disease has been
rendered by the Medical Men employed by the contractors engaged on the West
Highland Railway and the Glasgow Water-Works extension. Although not upon
the local Medical Staff, they have done quite as much good work, and are much to be
commended for their courtesy and help.
7. The corrected population of the Western District for 1891 was 10,759, and
estimated to the middle of 1892 it was 10,954. Births registered were 243, giving a
Birth-rate of 22.18 per 1000. Deaths registered were 156, givng a Death-rate of 14.24
per 1000. The Natural Increase of the population during the year was 87. Deaths
in persons over sixty years of age were 54, or 33.9 per cent. of the total, and Deaths
under one year were 14, of which 3 were due to Developmental Disease, giving an
Infant Mortality of 57.6 per 1000 Births.
Zymotic Disease caused 17 deaths, or 10.9 per cent. of the total, against 15.3
per cent. in 1891. This class of disease caused 28.8 per cent. of the total sickness in
the District during the year.
Tubercular Disease caused 27 deaths, of which 15 were due to Phthisis, giving
a Death-rate of 17.3 of the total, and 3.6 per cent. of the sickness. In 1891 the
Death-rate was 11.5 per cent.
Diseases of the Circulatory System caused 15 deaths, or 9 per cent. of the
total, and a Sickness-rate of 8.2 per cent.
Diseases of the Nervous System caused 7 deaths, or 4.4 per cent. of the total,
and a Sickness-rate of 10.5 per cent.
Influenza caused 3 deaths, and accounted for 2.9 per cent. of the Sickness.
Diseases of the Digestive System caused 11 deaths, or 7 per cent. of the total,
and 31.7 per cent. of the Sickness.
Rheumatic Diseases caused 3 deaths, and 8.8 per cent. of the total sickness.
Cancer and Malignant Diseases caused 2 deaths during the year.
Old Age caused 22 deaths, or 14.1 per cent. of the total.
Zymotic Diseases caused 17 deaths, and gave a Zymotic Death-rate of 1.55 per
1000 of the population.

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