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21
NAIRN, January 29th 1892.
To the COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCIL
OF THE COUNTY OF NAIRN.
GENTLEMEN,
In conformity with the Regulations of the
Board of Supervision, dated May 1st 1890, issued in virtue
of the Authority conferred by Sect. 53. (1) of the Local
Government (Scotland) Act 1889, I herewith beg to present
to you my Report for 1891, drawn up on the lines laid down
in Sect. I. of those Regulations.
I have the honour to be
GENTLEMEN,
Your obedient Servant,
JAMES A. CAMERON,
Medical Officer of Health. |
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NAIRNSHIRE.
Report by Medical Officer of Health.
Population at last Census - April 1891, -- 5070
Population estimated to middle of 1891, -- 5066
Area in Acres, -- about 114,000
Population. - During the last decade the population has
decreased, especially in the upper part of the district.
The alterations, which have been recently made on the
County and Parish Boundaries have made it difficult for me
to ascertain the exact area, and in the case of Croy Parish,
the population, owing to the boundary having been again
altered.
[table inserted]
1. GENERAL SANITARY STATE.
The general sanitary state of a district depends on several
conditions. The Geology, Meteorology, and Physical Con-
formation have all a certain effect, but what we have
principally to deal with are, what one might term, artificial
conditions arising from the density of the population and
their occupations - the diseases most commonly met with, |
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[page] 4
and how far their incidence may be obviated by hygienic
measures in connection with improved house accommodation,
water supply, drainage, &c.
Generally speaking the sanitary condition of this District
should be good. The soil as a rule is light and porous. The
rainfall is small. The population is sparse and employed
principally in agriculture. Only one Village, Auldearn,
(Population 364), and two or three smaller hamlets exist in the
County. The character of the house accommodation has been
improved of late years, though a good deal yet remains to be
done, especially as regards improved sanitary surroundings
for the §dwellings.
The sanitary state of a District is usually judged of
indirectly by its vital statistics - the Birth and Death Rates
- and directly by personal observation and investigation.
For the former purpose the Annual Returns of the Registrar-
General furnish certain data, and for last year I have received
Returns from the District Registrars, but such data are in
themselves insufficient, because there may be a great deal of
sickness and few deaths.
The Infectious Disease (Notification) Act 1889, which was
adopted in the County last May, and came into force on the
1st of July gives information as to the existence of Zymotic
Disease, and through its operation further light is thrown on
the sanitary state of a District. We know that certain of
those diseases are more prone to occur where insanitary
conditions exist, and that all of them spread more rapidly
under similar conditions.
Judged by the Death Rate alone (17.37 per 1000) the
condition of the District, taking its natural advantages into
consideration, is not what it might be. The Death Rate for
one year, however, is not a fair test, and it is necessary to
[page] 5
have observations over a series of years. I have
compared the Birth and Death Rates for 1891, with the
average rate for the previous five years in the following
table.
[table inserted]
From this table it will be seen that the Death Rate for 1891
is above the mean of the previous five years.
Another point to be taken into consideration is the decrease
of population above referred to. There is reason to believe
that is has been principally due to the migration from the
country of young adults, leaving a population mainly com-
posed of persons at the two extremes of life, amongst whom
the Death Rate is naturally much higher than at middle
life. Of the 88 deaths registered during 1891, 43 (almost
50%) were those of persons aged 60 years and upwards.
The Birth Rate is low, viz. 22.5 per 1000, which may help
to confirm the idea above expressed as to the age constitution of
the population. (It is below the mean of the last five years.)
This point will be cleared up when the complete returns of
the last census are issued.
Judged from the incidence of Zymotic Disease, and
especially from the absence of those diseases more commonly
associated with insanitary surroundings, the sanitary state
of the District is good.
Owing to the Sanitary Inspector having only entered on
his duties in the end of November, any systematic enquiry |
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[page] 6
into the water supply, drainage, and sanitary surroundings of
insolated dwellings has not taken place.
The villages of Auldearn, Cawdor, and Ferness, are well
supplied with water. Some nuisances, from the position of
ashpits and pig styes, the manner in which they are kept,
and the want of drainage, exist in the first named village.
2. - GENERAL AND SPECIAL INQUIRIES.
I have visited and examined into the state of the villages
and the district generally.
The only matter to which my attention was specially
directed was a nuisance arising from stagnant water in the
village of Auldearn owing to want of drainage. The matter
is presently under consideration by the County Surveyor, and
will shortly, I hope, be put to rights.
3. - ADVICE, CERTIFICATES, OFFENSIVE
TRADES, &c.
My advice has not been sought upon any particular point,
except with regard to Hospital Accommodation for Infectious
Diseases, neither have I had to grant any certificates.
There are no offensive trades carried on within the district.
4. - INSPECTION OF BAKEHOUSES.
There are two bakehouses situated within the district, both
of which I have visited and found to be well kept and suitable
for that purpose - the owners thereof complying with the
regulations as to limewashing, &c.
5. - HOSPITALS.
The Local Authority possess no hospital of their own for the
reception of Infectious Diseases. Such cases have hitherto
[page] 7
been treated in the Nairn Town and County Hospital, which
was built some 45 years ago, principally, I believe, for the
reception and treatment of such cases, though it has been
largely used as a General Hospital. Two or three years ago
a wing was added specially for the reception of cases of
infectious disease. The Local Authority of the Burgh recently
approached the District Council to know if they would unite
with them in contributing to the furnishing of this new wing,
and negotiations are now pending between the Local Authori-
ties of the Burgh and County and the Directors of the
Hospital. In my opinion, the present site is somewhat
confined. The enclosing wall (in close proximity on one side)
and the trees which surround the enclosure tend to prevent
that free circulation of air, and access of light so necessary for
such buildings. The building itself is low. It contains two
wards. Each ward was intended for the reception of four
patients, but that would only allow of between 600 and 700
cubic feet of air space per bed. I suggested that never
more than two patients be admitted to each ward. The access
to the second ward is inconvenient. This ward has no means
of cross ventilation, and the opening of an additional window
for this purpose would be an advantage. The nurse's room is
situated at one end of the building. Should the negotiations
between the Hospital Directors and the Local Authorities be
carried to an amicable conclusion, the accommodation thus
placed at their disposal, will, I fear, be insufficient except as
a temporary arrangement.
6. - INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
Since the Infectious Disease (Notification) Act came in
force in the district on the 1st July last, only nine cases of
Infectious Disease have been notified, viz:- One case of Mem- |
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branous Croup in Croy Parish, and eight cases of Scarlatina -
2 in Auldearn Parish, and six in Nairn (Landward.) On
inquiry I found that these 8 cases affecting 4 familes were
traceable to infection contracted at school in the Burgh of
Nairn, where some cases had shortly before occurred.
COUNTY OF NAIRN. - NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
JULY 1ST, TO DECEMBER 31ST, 1891.
[table inserted]
The Local Authority of the Burgh are, I am glad to hear,
about to adopt the Infectious Disease (Notification) Act.
From the Registrars' Returns I learn that Whooping Cough
has existed in the Parishes of Auldearn and Cawdor causing
two deaths - one in each parish. These are the only two
deaths due to the zymotic class of disease which have been
registered in the county during 1891 (= .394 per 1000 of
population.) One death was registered in Cawdor as due to
Erysipelas, and one in Croy as caused by Influenza.
[page] 9
7. - CAUSES, ORIGIN, AND DISTRIBUTION
OF DISEASE.
The tabular statement annexed hereto shows the distribution
of the various diseases, which have proved fatal according to
parishes, and the age at death.
As to the cause and origin of those diseases I don't feel
myself in a position to speak, but I would beg to draw
attention to the number of uncertified deaths, which have
been registered - 22 out of a total of 88 or 25%.
I can't close this paragraph without thanking the Registrars
for the courtesy and kindness they have shown to me in
furnishing the Returns which have enabled me to compile
the annexed table and in giving me whatever information
they could.
8. - The tabular statement of sickness and mortality, as
required by the Board of Supervision, is enclosed on the form
furnished to me. I regret that the information in my
possession does not enable me to fill up the columns for acre-
age, and density of population as accurately as I would have
liked - indeed it is only an approximation, but I trust to be
able to do so correctly on a future occasion. |
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COUNTY OF NAIRN.
I. - BIRTHS AND DEATHS OCCURRING IN THE COUNTY OF NAIRN DURING THE YEAR 1891.
[table inserted]
II. - DENSITY OF POPULATION, BIRTH RATE, INFANTILE, AND OTHER DEATH RATES.
[table inserted] |
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