HH62/1/AYR/33

Transcription

[Page] 32

GENERAL AND SPECIAL INQUIRIES AND ADVICE
GIVEN AS TO SANITARY MATTERS.

All the parishes in the district were visited by me systematically
so as to make myself acquainted with their general sanitary condition.
Special inquiries and visits were made in regard to outbreaks of
infectious disease, etc., more particularly since the Notification Act
came into operation in the district. Several inquiries were made at
the instance of the District Committee or Sub-Committee. I made
a report on the new drainage scheme of Fairlie, in which an inter-
cepting sewer was proposed to receive all the present drains, by
which the whole drainage would be discharged under low water mark
by two outlets. The proposed plan was recommended, as it would
greatly improve the amenity and sanitary condition of the foreshore.
I also reported on the drainage of Kilbirnie, Glengarnock, and
Dalry, suggesting in all cases means for its improvement. Special
inquiry was also made into the water supply of the village of Dreg-
horn. In my report upon it to the District Committee the main
points may be summed up as follows:- (a) That all the wells in the
village, with one doubtful exception, were more or less contaminated
with animal organic matter or its products; (b) that the incidence
of diarrhoea and enteric fever on the population was very marked, as
evidenced from the death returns of the village for the last five
years; (c) that in all probability this was due to the impure water
supply; and (d) that all the wells should be closed except the best
two (Millbank and School Wells), which might be used until a new
supply be provided. A report was likewise made to the Local
Authority on the large accumulations of wrack in proximity to
dwellings on the foreshore at Fairlie during the summer months, and
recommending that they should not be permitted. No certificates
were granted and no action was taken during the year in connection
with offensive trades and the sanitary condition of Factories and
Workshops.

INSPECTION OF BAKEHOUSES.

Nearly all the bakehouses in the district have been examined by
me, and their condition noted. Very few of them were found fault-
less from a sanitary point of view, but they were as a rule in a fair
state, though rarely very cleanly kept. In only one case - in
Kilbirnie - were there such gross insanitary conditions connected
with a bakehouse, structurally and otherwise, that the occupier saved
himself from prosecution by putting his bakehouse forthwith in a
sanitary state. In a considerable number the floors are rough and
the walls and ceilings not in the best state for facilitating and
guaranteeing absolute cleanliness, such as should be always observed
in places fulfilling so important a function as the baking of bread.
Unfortunately the Local Authority have no powers for forming
bye-laws for the regulation of bakehouses. No legal proceedings
were taken in this district in regard to bakehouses under the Factory
and Workshops Act.

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ISOLATION HOSPITALS.

Although there are several small hospitals in the district
belonging to the Parochial Boards or burgh authorities, the only one
at present in which the District Committee have an interest is the
Clark Hospital, Largs. It was built for the joint use of the burgh
and landward divisions of the parish of Largs. Whether the
District Committee have powers under the Local Government Act
for sending patients to it from other parishes in the district is at
present not clear. The hospital, which was carefully planned and
constructed under the supervision of Dr Kirkwood of Largs - who is
no mean authority on sanitary matters - has accommodation for 14
patients. The arrangements as regards the nursing and medical staff
are very satisfactory. The only drawback I see in connection with
this hospital is the want of a disinfecting chamber, the disinfection of
clothing, bedding, &c., being effected by fumigation and washing.
As has been stated in my county report, the District Committee are
making arrangements for two new hospitals for this district.

PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE.

Since the Notification Act came into force in this district, the
methods adopted are the same as carried out in the other districts of
the county. When I receive a notification it is entered in a book
for the purpose, and immediately forwarded to the local Sanitary In-
spector, who, either alone or occasionally with me, visits the case,
fills up a form with printed headings as to the disease, name, address,
age, and occupation (if any) of the patient; the school or Sunday-
school attended; date when rash (if any) appeared; water supply;
milk supply; water-closet, privy, &c.; drainage; number of rooms in
house; number of children under 15; any sanitary defects; steps
taken; and remarks. On this filled-up form being returned to me,
the whole is copied into a book, so that a permanent record is kept of
it, which may become useful at any future time. Printed instruc-
tions as to isolation, disinfection, and other precautions are left at the
patient's house; but I would like to see the disinfection of the houses,
in every case, carried out by the Sanitary Inspector, and not left to
the householder.

DISTRIBUTION OF DISEASES, STATISTICS, &c.

Although we shall probably never be able to get anything
approaching a true estimation of the amount and distribution of all
non-fatal diseases, it will be possible for us to map out the disease
spots all over the District, as far as these diseases are included in the
Infectious Disease (Notification) Act. In future reports "spot