HH62/2/ROXBUR/21

Transcription

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to the Burgh of Jedburgh, and situated near the station. I
regret to have to report that neither of these is in a satisfactory
state. That in Ancrum is merely a dilapidated cottage, and
I directed the attention of the Sanitary Inspector to its
condition. No bye-laws being in force at that time, little
could be done, and action was delayed until the District
Committee had drawn up rules for the regulation of the
trade. The slaughter-house near Jedburgh is let for the use
of the butchers in the town by the Burghal authority, but
being situated in the County is under the control of the
District Committee. On several occasions I noticed that
the premises were in a most filthy condition, offal and blood
lying on the road outside the buildings. The structure is
good and substantial, although not well planned, proper
accommodation not being provided for animals previous to
slaughter, and there being no suitable receptacles for offal.
The nuisance is, however, chiefly caused by the unworkman-
like methods followed by the butchers, very different to the
practice of the trade in large towns. Here, again, proceed-
ings were delayed until bye-laws were passed to strengthen
the inspector's hands.
HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. - No hospital is available in this
District, and in this particular the District is no better off
than the Burgh of Jedburgh, which is also unprovided with
accommodation for the isolation of patients. Although the
want of a hospital has not been seriously felt, the only
infectious disease in the neighbourhood having been typhoid
fever, and being almost entirely confined to the places in
in which it originated, it would yet be advantageous
to discuss the subject at an early date. I understand
that it is contemplated to close the Poorhouse, in which
there is at present accommodation far in excess of the
needs of the District, and provide for the inmates elsewhere.
This being the case, it would be a favourable time to consider
the advisability of securing the building for the purposes of
a fever hospital - a plan highly recommended by Mr M'Neil

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when Inspector of the Board of Supervision, in a report to
that Board. If the matter were postponed on the plea that
there is little evidence to show that accommodation for
isolation is absolutely necessary, it is not unlikely that
in the future public opinion, which is now advancing so
rapidly in the direction of insisting on protection from in-
fectious disease, would force the Local Authority to provide
a hospital when possibly the present favourable opportunity
of obtaining a building on easy terms would be lost. The
burgh being in the same position, the question naturally
arises, Why should the two Local Authorities not unite and
share the expense? The building is well situated, and could
doubtless be so altered as to make a very suitable hospital
for two or three infectious diseases. In the County report I
made some remarks on the responsibilities incurred by Local
Authorities in establishing such an institution, and mention
the danger of "cross" infection; and I have no doubt that
when the matter comes up for discussion the whole subject
of provision of vans for the removal of patients, disinfecting
apparatus, and structural alterations will be considered fully,
so that no person removed to the hospital may feel that he is
being subjected to the danger of exposure to the infection
of another infectious disease.
ACTION TAKEN, AND CASES. - Near Crailing there was one
case of enteric fever, but as it had been imported, and gave
rise to no other cases, it may be dismissed without further
remark. At Hassendean Bank, in Minto parish, there were
two cases of the same fever, due probably to the use of the
sewage-polluted water of a burn near the cottages in which
the cases occurred. These were followed later by three
others, one of whom died. In addition to the water supply,
the cottages were in an insanitary state, owing partly to their
position close to the mill-pond, with rising ground behind on
which were the usual undrained pigstyes. The sink drains,
also were defective, and the houses damp. The pigstyes
were at once emptied, and shortly afterwards the drains were