HH62/1/ABERD/41

Transcription

[Page] 40

farm, and on inquiry it was found that other cases of fever
had occurred at the place in previous years. It was also
thought that typhoid fever had been conveyed from here to
Boddam, through the milk sent there. On making a com-
plete inspection of the premises, the only cause that pre-
sented itself to me as likely to cause the fever was the
drinking water. This was taken from a well situated at a
distance of about 40 yards from a midden and at a lower
level. The urine had been drawn away from the midden
by a superficially cut drain, but the nature of the soil,
which was of clay lying close to the surface, suggested the
possibility that the urine had found its way along the sur-
face of the clay bed into the well. I took away with me a
sample of the water, and on analysis found it to be greatly
polluted. Two years ago the water from other two wells at
this farm had been analysed by Professor Brazier, in connec-
tion with an outbreak of typhoid fever at the time, and
pronounced by him to resemble rather sewage mixed with
water than water mixed with sewage. Directions were
given to disuse the well, and steps to be taken to procure a
fresh supply.
I made a careful investigation, in conjunction with Dr.
McLeod, Medical Officer for New Deer, into a case of typhoid
at the Free Church Manse there. The water supply was
suspected by him, and I accordingly made two analyses of
it. The first analysis pointed to recent contamination. The
pump was then thoroughly cleaned. A second analysis was
then made. It showed that all traces of recent pollution had
disappeared, but traces of more remote pollution remained.
An inspection of the ground gave reason for suspecting that
the pollution came from an old cesspool at some distance
from the pump. This was all the more likely as the soil
was exceedingly sandy and porous. The taste of the water
at the different times corresponded exactly with the results
of the analysis. After the emptying and cleaning of the
pump, when the sample for the second analysis was taken,
the water was quite good to the taste, but it gradually
changed and became unpleasant. The question of a
new supply to the Manse by gravitation is now under the
consideration of the Deacons' Court.
Other investigations were made into outbreaks of scarlet
fever, diphtheria, and typhoid. Any insanitary conditions
in connection with typhoid fever and diphtheria were dealt
with.

OFFENSIVE TRADES. - The slaughter-houses in the
district are not all that could be desired. It has been,

[Page] 41

however, determined by the District Committee, as only one
man had received licence for the old Local Authority, to
intimate to them that they must now apply to the District
Committee for permission to slaughter cattle. The Com-
mittee will take care that all grounds of nuisance are
removed before such permission is granted. This is the
only offensive trade in the district.

BAKEHOUSES. - I have inspected a number of these, and
with one or two exceptions, found their condition satisfactory.

HOSPITAL SUPERVISION. - The hospitals available for the
use of the Local Authority in 1891 were, the Old Deer
Cottage Hospital and the Thomas Walker Hospital at
Fraserburgh. I visited the latter, and found it satisfactorily
equipped.
I made several visits to the Old Deer Hospital, and
always found, under Dr. Wilson's charge, everything in ex-
cellent order.

MEASURES TAKEN FOR PREVENTION OF SPREAD OF
DISEASE. - Cases of infectious disease were visited by the
Sanitary Inspector, or, where there seemed any circumstance
requiring personal supervision, by myself. Outbreaks of
scarlet fever were dealt with personally at Fetterangus,
Strichen, New Pitsligo, Rathen Schoolhouse, Kininmonth
Schoolhouse, Longside, New Aberdour, and Boddam. Every
assistance was rendered by the various Medical Officers of
the district.

CAUSES, ORIGIN, AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISEASES. -
The principal zymotic diseases in 1891 were diphtheria,
enteric fever, and diarrhœa. The two latter undoubtedly
depend on the polluted condition of many of the water
supplies. (See report on the Ellon District, page 22.) As
the investigation of a number of them has clearly shown,
improvement in this respect will, in all probability, lead to
a diminution of these diseases.
The outbreaks fo diphtheria were, in nearly all the
cases, traced to defective drainage of the houses in which
they occurred.
One of the commonest diseases reported under the
Notification Act is erysipelas. It often appears to be
connected with, if not dependent upon, insanitary conditions,
and its prevalence in Boddam is very instructive in view of
the insanitary condition of the village.
Phthisis and other forms of tubercular disease are ex-
ceedingly common. The total tubercular death-rate is 1.445.

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