HH62/45/167

Transcription

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Crianlarich was free), took the disease after her return to Perth. As she had had
smallpox in her youth and had previously nursed cases of the disease with impunity,
she would not submit to re-vaccination.
The total cost of treating the smallpox cases in the Western District was £403.
Diphtheria caused 2 deaths in 1893, against 6 in 1892. Sickness returns show
that 10 cases of the disease were reported during the year, against 15 in 1892. Of
these 10 cases 8 were credited to Killin, where the school had to be closed in
consequence of the outbreak. Both of the fatal cases occurred at that place, and
there seemed to be good grounds for believing that the disease was caused by the
excavation of the soil from under the floor of a house in which diphtheria had
formerly occurred; it was in consequence of this that the alteration was being made,
so that free ventilation might be provided under the floor.
Typhus Fever. - One death appears in the Registration returns for 1893, but as
the reason for this was delay in consequence of a Fiscal's inquiry into the circumstances
of the death, (no medical man having seen the person before death), and the death
occurred in 1892, and was referred to in the Annual Report for that year, there is no
necessity for further reference to it. A little anxiety was caused by a communication
received from the Health Department of Glasgow, in October, stating that four
young women had been admitted to Hospital there suffering from Typhus Fever, and,
further, that they had previously been engaged with a contractor in the neighbour-
hood of Doune lifting potatoes. On enquiry being made it was found that the gang had
come to the place, from another County, shortly before the girls now sick had left; all
the rest of the workers were found to be in perfect health, and continued so till their
departure from Perthshire, which took place within a week.
Scarlet Fever. - No Deaths are recorded as due to Scarlet Fever during 1893;
there were 20 cases of the disease reported, and no epidemic occurred. Five of these
cases occurred in the house of the keeper of the Public Reading Room at Killin, and
as they were in a very dangerous place in so far as the public were concerned, one of
the portable Hospitals was erected in a field near the village and the patients removed
to it. The Hospital gave complete satisfaction to all concerned.
Enteric Fever - No death was caused by this disease during 1893, seven cases
were reported, two were isolated cases, - one traceable to the patient having been in
attendance on another case of the disease, the other to polluted water. The other
five cases occurred in one family, and were due to one member coming home from
another County with a diseases thought to be Influenza until the rest of the family
took the disease; it was then too late to prevent the mischief.
Measles caused two deaths in 1893, against none in 1892. Sickness returns
show that this disease was the cause of 1 per cent. of the total; this, however, is very
much under the actual percentage, as the character of the disease was so mild
that no doctor was called in to see many of the cases.
Diarrhœa - There were no death caused in the District during 1893; in
1892 there were 2 deaths caused by it.

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Eastern District.

There has been a steady improvement in the Sanitary condition of the Eastern
District during 1893. Many dwelling-houses have been much improved either in
their surroundings, or structure, and the water supplies have received a large share of
the attention of the Department. Although a large expenditure has been entailed
by these improvements, it is satisfactory to know that everything was accomplished
without the necessity of an appeal to the Sheriff.
The Village of Kirkmichael for the major part of the year, has been rejoicing in
a new Water Supply, laid on by the proprietors from the adjoining hill. This will
much improve the amenity of the place, and is thoroughly appreciated by the
inhabitants, some of whom had nothing but the river water to drink before; the next
move will doubtless be the formation of a Drainage System.
Wells have been found polluted in several instances, and these have either been
made "chemist proof," or have been replaced by others in more suitable situations.
The whole question of assistant Sanitary Inspectors has been under the consideration
of the District Committee, and a proposal has been made to appoint one man to do
the whole work, as is done in the Highland District, to the advantage of the
work. At present there is a feeling amongst the local Inspectors that they are
underpaid, and this is not likely to inspire them to work.
The pollution of rivers by the discharge of sewage into them, was brought under
the notice of the District Committee, by a communication from the County Finance
Committee, in reference to the pollution caused by the sewages of Blairgowrie and
Rattray, which were discharged into the Ericht without filtration. It was reported
that Blairgowrie was at present constructing works which, when completed,
would prevent the pollution in so far as that Burgh was concerned, and Rattray was
called upon to take measures to do likewise, but hitherto no actual progress has been
made with the prevention of the pollution of the river by its sewage. The Blairgowrie
Purification Works have been carried out during the year, and, so far as they go, they
do the intended work well; but, were the effluent treated by intermittent downward
filtration, or broad irrigation after coming from the tanks, any danger to the river
water from the discharge of the effluent would be completely prevented. When it
is remembered that the chief value of sewage from a manurial point of view is
contained in the liquid which is so frequently discharged into the rivers without any
attempt being made to utilize it, it seems strange in these days of agricultural
depression that such a state of matters is allowed, altogether apart from a Public
Health point of view.
In so far as the Burghs of Alyth and Coupar-Angus are concerned, the purifi-
cation and utilization works in operation are giving continued satisfaction.
2. On many occasions general inspections have been made with a view to ascertain
the sanitary condition of the District, and in connection with complaints regarding
offensive trades, polluted water supplies, and infectious disease, a considerable amount
of work has been necessitated.
3. Advice was given in regard to insanitary dwelling-houses, and polluted water
supplies, but happily in no case was there any need for a certificate under the Public
Health Act, as the Chief Sanitary Inspector managed to accomplish all that was

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