HH62/1/AYR/57

Transcription

[Page] 56

Water Supply. - In several of the villages, such as Dalmelling-
ton, Muirkirk, and Prestwick, there is a good gravitation supply of
water, but in a number of other places in the district the water
supply is less satisfactory. As might, he expected, this was more
marked during the long drought last summer. The condition of the
village of Glenbuck was about the worst example in this respect. It
has since been formed into a special water supply district.
Drainage. - In very few villages in the district can the drainage
be considered satisfactory. Probably the advisability of forming
some of the more important villages into special drainage districts
will have to be considered. The condition of the purely mining
villages is often found superior to other populous places, owing to the
cleansing and scavenging being carried out by the owners, and not
left to the occupiers. The smaller villages in which the only drainage
left to occupiers. The smaller villages in which the only drainage
usually consists of loosely paved channels on the sides of the road,
cannot, as a rule, afford to be formed into special drainage districts;
but what drainage they possess should be kept in good order.
Dwellings. - Although I have not met with many uninhabitable
dwellings in the district, several insanitary conditions connected with
defective drainage, dampness, &c., have been noticed. In the village
of Dalmellington, the dilapidated state of several cottages was
reported by me to the District Committee, and the owners of the
houses were asked to put them in a habitable state. As a rule, the
miners' houses are in fair order. In a number of the miners' rows
washing-houses would be an improvement, as in several of these the
washing of clothes is done in the kitchen, which is usually a sleeping
room as well, so that in such , especially during illness in the house,
the operation of washing is very undesirable.
The condition of slaughter-houses, common lodging-houses, &c.,
is to be attended to when the proposed bye-laws for their regulation
have been put in force.
it may be noted that since last summer the condition of
Muirkirk, Dalmellington, &c., have been considerably improved in
the cleansing and provision of suitable conveniences, and, as will be
noticed from the vital statistics of the district (Table II.), Dalmell-
ington compares favourably with the other parishes in the Ayr
District.

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

Nearly the whole of this district has been visited by me systema-
tically, besides special visits and inquiries in connection with the
investigation of cases of infectious diseases notified, and where com-
plaints in regard to water supplies, &c., came to my knowledge.
The villages of Dalmellington, Muirkirk, and Glenbuck I also
inspected, and reported their condition to the District Committee.
Other matters recommended to the District Committee were:- The
adoption of the Infectious Disease (Notification) Act, and the
advisability of making arrangements with the Ayr County Hospital


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directors for fifteen beds for the isolation of cases of infectious
disease. Reports were also made upon the sanitary staff of the
district, &c. One certificate was granted in connection with a
prosecution for the removal of a nuisance at Muirkirk. No action
was taken, and no certificate granted, in connection with offensive
trades and the sanitary condition of factories and workshops.

INSPECTION OF BAKEHOUSES.

Although few of the bakehouses, in the district are faultless as
regards cleanliness, suitable floors, and ceilings, besides other sanitary
matters, none of those which I inspected had any serious sanitary
defects, and the occupier or proprietor was usually agreeable to carry
out any improvements which might be suggested.
It was not necessary to take any proceedings in relation to
bakehouses under the Factory and Workshops Act.

ISOLATION HOSPITAL.

The only hospital in this district is the small hospital at Dal-
mellington. It has accommodation for six beds. it is a little
distance from the village, and is well built. The wife of the
caretaker usually acts as nurse. Hitherto this hospital has not
been utilised as it should have been for isolating cases of infectious
disease. During the year only two cases of enteric fever were
isolated in it. It may be considered a suitable isolation hospital for
the requirements of this village and parish.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE PREVENTION.

Since the Notification Act came into operation in this
district the house of the patient is in each case at once visited
by the parish sanitary inspector, and when it is considered
advisable I also visit the place, and occasionally the Chief
District Sanitary Inspector. Note is taken of the condition
of the premises as regards drainage, number of rooms in
house and of children under fifteen, &c., and special enquiries made as
to the age of patient, school attended by him, or occupation, the
water supply, the milk supply, and any other information which may
throw light on the cause of the disease. When the water supply is
suspected a sample is taken for analysis. Printed instructions are
left at the house regarding precautions, such as isolation, disinfection,
the keeping of children from school, &c. All this information is en-
tered in a book for the purpose, and thus becomes a permanent record
of the Health Department. Unfortunately, the isolation without
hospitals is usually unsatisfactory.

DISTRIBUTION OF DISEASES IN THE DISTRICT.

As the Notification Act has been in operation since the 1st of
October, we give the Infectious Diseases (included in the Act)