HH62/2/LANARK/96

Transcription

[Page] 95

Requirements of a Disinfecting Station. - I wish to
state clearly what is involved in the establishment of a
public disinfecting station.
There are required -
1. Steam boiler.
2. Disinfecting apparatus.
3. Wash-house appliances.
4. Two vans - 1 for infected goods, and 1 for disinfected
goods.
5. Horse.
6. Buildings for these, including a chimney, stable, and
van-house.

An officer devoting his whole time to the work of disin-
fection would be required, and an additional man to act as
driver and assistant.
And I would add that I look upon the carrying out of
the work of disinfection as one of the most important
duties devolving upon a sanitary authority, one which can
only be done by a properly trained staff and with proper
appliances; and that the cost of it ought to be borne by
the whole body of ratepayers, as it is in their interest and
for their protection that the expense is incurred.

Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops. - I have not been
in a position so far to personally inspect the whole of the
dairies and cowsheds in the Lower Ward, but, from what I
have seen, I am convinced that the regulations which the
Committee have now sanctioned will result in great improve-
ment in many of them. One, to my mind, striking instance
of the importance of proper ventilation in a cowshed came
under my notice in the Parish of Cadder, where practically
the whole stock of a farmer was attacked, one after another,
by tuberculosis. The veterinary surgeon in attendance was
of opinion that a bad water supply was the original cause;
but, while this doubtless had its effect in deteriorating the
health of the cattle, no doubt exists in my mind that the
faulty construction of the cowshed or byre, its proximity
to a huge dungheap, its situation in a confined courtyard,
accompanied probably by overcrowding, all contributed to
vitiate the air breathed by the animals to such an extent

[Page] 96

as to favour the development of tuberculosis once the
disease had gained a footing among the stock. The
mortality was so great that the farmer determined very
wisely to discontinue for some time the keeping of dairy
cattle.
Under the new regulations, power is given to remedy
such a state of things, and their due enforcement must
result in benefit, not only to the milk consumer, which
is their primary object, but also to the farmer and landlord.
According to the Chief Inspector's report, there are 228
premises in the Lower Ward registered as cowsheds,
dairies, or milkshops.

Returns of Births and Deaths. - The necessity of having
periodical returns regarding births and deaths was brought
before the Committee, and at once recognised. After great
delay and negotiations with the various registrars, arrange-
ments were finally made for the supply of these returns.
The present system of having so many different registrars
for the Lower Ward District is unnecessarily complicated,
and it is to be hoped that a complete rearrangement of
registration districts in and around Glasgow will soon be
made, and that the "shreds and patches," regarding which
Dr. Russell so justly complains, will give place to some
uniform and readily understood system.

Another matter of some importance was the Organisation
of the sanitary department, particularly with reference
to the carrying out of the provisions of the Infectious
Diseases (Notification) Act. Forms were drawn up in
accordance with the provisions of the Act, bound up in
books of 50, and, with the necessary addressed envelopes,
sent out to each medical man likely to use them.
As County Medical Officer my office is in the County
Offices, Hamilton; but it is obvious that, if notifications of
infectious disease were forwarded to me there, and then