HH62/2/SELKIR/13

Transcription

[page] 12

a large number of analyses made, and to inspect personally
as many wells as possible.
The other matter to which I would direct the attention of
the County Council is the urgent need of energetic action in
connection with drainage and filth nuisances in farm houses
and cottages. In most farm houses there are sinks and
water-closets, and as these, if trapped, are not disconnected
from the drain, and the soil pipes are frequently inside
the houses and unventilated, it is astonishing that typhoid
fever and sore throats are not prevalent.
The cottages have no privies or ashpits, and therefore
middens close to dwellings are far too common, frequently
polluting the water supply. But in my opinion the most
serious nuisance is caused by the absence of sinks and drains
outside the cottages, and the practice of throwing slop water
on the road near the house door. The soil is rendered sour
and impure, and although it has great power of purifying
refuse, it is yet inadvisable to have a miniature sewage farm
immediately in front of a cottage door. Cottages are also
frequently more damp than is conducive to health.
The Sanitary Inspector is, however, reporting and dealing
with these cases as rapidly as his time permits, and as there
are only about 800 houses in the county, a material improve-
ment should be effected within a short period.
The two small villages in the county are clean when
compared with those of a neighbouring county, and do not
call for any particular action on the part of the local authority.
M. J. OLIVER.

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Table I. - Births and Deaths occurring in the County of Selkirk during the 13 weeks ending 2d Jan., 1892.

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