Dr. E.P. Manby's report to the Local Government Board upon the sanitary circumstances and administration of the County Borough of West Hartlepool.

  • Manby, E. P.
Date:
1912
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dr. E.P. Manby's report to the Local Government Board upon the sanitary circumstances and administration of the County Borough of West Hartlepool. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    riirostoii, and of utilising the new site, seems to require the earlj atteutiou of th(‘ town (u)uneil. The eouiicil have not provided any dispensary or sanatorimn for the treatment of cases of tuberculosis oecurring in their district. Disinfection of Clothiuf/ and Deddinf/ is carried out at tlie council’s disinfecting station by means of a Washington-Lyon’s steam apparatus. Infected Premises are fumigated mostly with sulphurous acid gas, but sometimes formic aldehyde gas is used. Disinfection is offered when a death from phthisis has occurred in a house. The council rent two cottages in Elwick Road for the reception of persons during the disinfection of their houses. The cottages are used also for the isolation of contacts with smallpox cases. Antitoxin for the treatment of diphtheria is provided free of charge when necessary, and an arrangement exists with the University of Durham for the bacteriological diagnosis of infec- tious disease, including phthisis. Thirteen swabs from susjuH'ted diphtheria cases and 42 specimens of sputum were submitted foi- examination in 1911. The Medical Officer of Health is Dr. Harold Ernest (jramleii, M.B,, B.S., D.P.H., Durham. In the time that he has been in office Dr. Gamlen has made a considerable number of special inspections, particularly in relation to lodging-hordes, butcher shops, sausage makers, and ice-cream vendors’ premises. He is energetic and anxious to carry out his duties properly, but he is handicapped by the possession of a lai'ge private practice, and by want of administrative experience. I supplied Dr. Gamlen Avith a copy of the Board’s Order of December 13th, 1910, in regard to the duties of medical officers of health, and of inspection of nuisances, and I gave him advice upon various points of administration. The Ins'pector of Nuisances is Mr. T. Wheat, Avho has held offi(;e for a number of years, and Avho receives a salary of £200 pei’ annum. Mr. Wheat Avas on long sick leave at the time of my inspection, as he is suffering from failing eyesight. There are three assistant-inspectors, Messrs. H. Robinson, .1. T. Durkin, and W. Ridsdale. Messrs. Robinson and Durkin possess the certificate of the Royal Sanitary Institute, and receive salaries of £110 and £95 per annum respectively. Mr. Ridsdale has no certificate, and is paid at the rate of 25s» per week. During Mr. Wheat’s absence the two certificated inspectors divided the toAvn between them for inspection purposes, except that Mr. Robinson inspected the factories and Avorkshops and Mr. Durkin did all the drain testing which Avas necessary. A certain amount of inspection of dwellings under tlie Housing Act, 1909, has been carried out upon the recommendation of the chief inspector of nuisances. These recommendations should have been made by the medical officer of health in accordance with the terms of Art. 1.(3) of the Housing Regulations, 1910. I gathered that in this, as in other matters in the past, there has not been very close association between the medical officer and the sanitary inspector. I pointed out to the town clerk, to the chairman of the