HH62/2/SUTHER/41

Transcription

[Page] 40

III. For the better disposal of excreta and waste material, a
system of formation of Drainage district proper, Laying down sewers,
as empowered in Sec. 24 Public Health Act, 1867, or Scavenging at
short periodic intervals by the Local Authority, coupled with an
application of the powers in Section 51, must be employed in the
following places:- Golspie, Embo, Bonar, Stoer, Scourie, Kinloch-
bervie (part of, where most congested), Durness, Melness, Skerray,
Portskerray-and-Melvich (combined); and an improvement of the
present system at Brora, including part of East Brora; while at
Helmsdale there should be an extension at the outfall of sewage past
the harbour basin to a point where the sewage would not cause
nuisance, as it does at present.
Public Privies, in terms of Section 41, should be erected where
there is an absolute necessity for the same in our large villages, and
where, because of their absence, there is so much fouling of roadsides
and small enclosures with human excreta; but, antecedent to this,
there must be an enforcement of the rule to have all houses, either
singly or in groups, provided with privies, which shall be erected of
such a size and in such position as shall be most suitable.
And for this end, also, Bye-laws will have to be made in terms of
Public Health Acts and Local Government Act, relating to the (1)
Position, structure, and cleaning of ashpits. (2) Distance of pigstyes
and middens from dwelling-houses. (3) Removal and deposit at
certain distances from public roads of farmyard manure heaps. (4)
Registration, ventilation, and structure of byres, stables, folds, &c.,
in which animals are kept for supplying milk at a profit to the
people. The Sanitary Inspector should be appointed inspector of
dairies and other sources of milk supply. (5) Regulations for the
better cleansing of fishcuring yards, and the lodging of extra workers
at fishing seasons. (6) Regulation of common lodging-houses, in
terms of Section 62 Public Health Act, 1867. (7) Regulations for
slaughter-houses and their structure, and the granting of permission
before new ones are used. (8) Regulations relating to the erection
of new buildings of any kind as by a Dean of Guild Court. (9) Pre-
vention of the use of road drains as places for the disposal of refuse,
and the closing of old and disused cesspools. (10) Make regulations
relating to the use of graveyards, and the proper depth of graves
therein. (11) Or any other matter which causes nuisance or injury
to health, the prevention of which would conduce to better health.

CONCLUSION.
From a careful consideration of the whole case, I earnestly hope
the County Council will see its way to make a start in the manner
indicated for improving, removing, or preventing of what, in their
district, has been shown to be insanitary. It is only in the way
suggested, or in a similar fashion, that the inhabitants of this county
(whose numbers in summer are largely supplemented by the influx

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of hundreds of health-seekers) can have the best chance of attaining
to as perfect a state of physical health as possible. To this they are
entitled, and any hindrances in the way of such a possible attainment
should certainly not be permitted to remain by the Council.
Because the granting of the demands of sanitation is not divested
of difficulties and expense, or free from much temporary disfavour and
ill will, is no sufficient reason for delay or conscious negligence on the
part of the administrators of its requirements. 'The Local Authority
should see to it that in the combat between preventable disease and
health, they are not on the side of disease, by allowing it to have
for its growth and propagation such a suitable vantage ground as has
been proved to exist; but, on the contrary, should always and
quickly so act as to root out, or at all events greatly limit, the growth
of preventable disease, knowing that to conserve health is as
important and lucrative a work as to extend commerce, and certainly
far more important than to save money.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,

D G Sutherland
Medical Officer