HH62/2/SUTHER/8

Transcription

[Page] 8

to lower levels, including surface wells (periodically polluting the
water), or dilute the liquid filth before percolation to the soil, which
rapidly becomes sewage-sodden.
Cemeteries exist in some parts which are said to be overcrowded,
and, to my certain knowledge, many are used in which the graves are
made of insufficient depth, and the sub-soil water of which is not
sufficiently guarded from liability to pollute water courses running
near.
Houses are found of a nature quite unfit for healthy dwellings,
because of their own structural defects, or because of a site damp and
exposed, or from proximity to other sufficient causes of ill-health. In
many Parishes the cattle enter by the same door as the people, and are
housed under the same roof, certainly contributing, by their exhala-
tions and excreta, to the production of a noxious condition of the air
and general uncleanliness of house and person.
Buildings are frequently occupied by masses of people who,
because of non-opening windows, and no ventilators, cannot get
renewed supplies of fresh air of sufficient purity, and who, in several
cases, because of poverty of means or materials, have no option or
ability to choose better dwellings.
Lodging-houses for vagrants have been found in some Parishes with
no regulations or registration for their proper guidance or supervision
as to proper accommodation or separation of the sexes.
As to Food and its sources of supply, milk is drawn from cows
crowded in too small byres and supplied, under no supervision, to the
consumers, from houses with utterly inadequate means of keeping it
free from emanations and dust of unhealthful nature. Other substances
are employed as food and drink which have not the properties
supposed to exist in them nor the constituents necessary for the
upbuilding of hard-worked bodies. The Bakehouses of the County
have been visited, and all about their state of cleanliness, sources of water
supply, and isolation from sleeping apartments or other sources of
contamination investigated.
In short, there is unlimited room for improvement, es-
pecially in the means of obtaining and maintaining the
supply of properly-warmed air and pure water, sufficient
in amount and wholesome in character, for dwelling-houses,
and also the scientific removal of waste materials by better
drainage or scavenging to positions where they would be
supplying vegetation with its necessary food; or, at all
events, so disposed of as not to cause nuisance where deposited.
None of these improvements will occur till the facts of the case are
believed and the simple remedies which will later on be suggested
are carried out.

PARISH OF ASSYNT - Population, 2566; acres, 110,111.
Reports have already been made by me on this Parish, and the
chief points may be summarised. Inquiries and inspections were

TABULAR STATEMENT of SICKNESS and MORTALITY referred to in the Regulations issued by
the Board of Supervision for Medical Officers of Districts of Counties.
COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND - NOT DIVIDED INTO DISTRICTS.

TABLE I. - Births and Deaths occurring in the District during the Year 1891.

[Table Inserted]

NOTE. - The data of Deaths are compiled from the Parish Registrars' Quarterly Returns.