HH62/1/FIFE/41

Transcription

[page] 40

Council was got for this. A site was also secured, so that if any
emergency had occurred, a means of isolation could have been ready
in a few days time. In my last report the question of a permanent
hospital was dealt with, and it was referred to a sub-committee for full
consideration. As far as can be judged, there is the possibility of a com-
bination scheme being yet gone into.

ACTION TAKEN IN REGARD TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

Since the Notification of Infectious Diseases Act has been adopted
in the District, it has been possible the deal with any infectious diseases
as they occurred. There has not been any widespread epidemic of any
infectious disease, with the exception of the prevailing epidemic of
influenza. At Gowkhall several cases of enteric fever were notified,
and at once printed instructions for disinfection were delivered at the
houses, and notices served on various people at the hamlet to have
offensive matters removed. What were probable causes of the outbreak
at this place will be further referred to. One case occurred at St
David's, and the usual rules for disinfection were forwarded, and also a
notice that school attendance was to cease from this house till risk of
infection had ceased. Two cases of erysipelas occurred in a common
lodging-house in Kincardine; and, as this house had been formerly
reported on as being in an insanitary condition, it was decided that the
keeper must either conform to the bye-laws for common lodgings, or
steps would be taken to have it closed, as being unfit for the purpose.
Several cases of scarlet fever were reported from Aberdour and
one from Beath, and the usual directions for disinfection, and precau-
tions to be observed in such cases, were sent to the heads of families.
The schoolmasters of the schools at which members of the different
families were attending were also advised not to allow attendance from
the infected houses until a medical certificate was produced stating that
danger of infection had passed. These examples given above show the
general procedure adopted in all cases notified to me. When an hospi-
tal is available, of course suitable cases will be sent there for treatment,
and fortunately no great necessity for hospital treatment has yet oc-
curred; but this is a state of matters which will not at all time prevail.

[page] 41

STATEMENT OF THE CAUSES, ORIGIN, AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISEASES WITHIN THE DISTRICT, AND THE
EXTENT TO WHICH THE SAME HAVE DEPENDED ON, OR BEEN INFLUENCED BY, CONDITIONS CAPABLE
OF REMOVAL OR MITIGATION.

To give a brief statement, to be made under this section, and to explain the information derived from the notifica-
tion of infectious disease, will be best attained by giving the following information regarding each case which has been
notified to me since 1st October.

TABULAR STATEMENT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES NOTIFIED.

[table inserted]

These cases do not indicate the widespread prevalence of any infectious diseases. The five cases of scarlet fever
in Aberdour were from an introduced source, and by isolation there was no further extension of cases.
Three cases of enteric fever at Gowkhall were due most probably to the pollution of the well water there.