[Report 1897] / Medical Officer of Health, Hetton U.D.C.

  • Hetton (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1897
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Report 1897] / Medical Officer of Health, Hetton U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/18 (page 3)
    There were two cases in Summerson Street in different Typhoid houses, and at different times. Near to both houses was ?ase^’ an open drain that served for surface water, and which I ' was told was very offensive at times. With this exception I am unable to assigm or suggest any cause for the cases of Typhoid Fever. The health of the district, so far as my observation Health of goes, has been very good. District The low death-rate from Zymotic diseases and Low Diarrhcea, (diseases which are intimately associated with, Zymotic”1 and produced by, insanitary conditions,) is exceedingly Diseases and satisfactory, and whilst the deaths from such causes, Diarrhoea throughout the country, are generally below the average, yet I think the Council may fairly assume, and take credit to itself, that such lessened mortality is the result, at least in part, of the improved sanitary condition of the district. There have been many sanitary improvements made Sanitary during the year, but more especially in the Cross Rows in ImProvements Hetton, which district, by the desire of the County Council Cross Rows, acting on the advice of the Medical Officer of Health for the Hetton County, has had special attention. Many of the houses in those Rows are now in a good sanitary condition, whilst the others are being altered and improved. The owners of property are endeavouring, as a rule, Suggestions to accede to the wishes of the Council, and make their ™ade t° houses both sanitary and comfortable, but in some instances Ownersy the tenants do not assist them. It is often found that a house may, during the occupancy of one tenant, be foul and reeking with filth, yet very soon, on a change of tenancy, be sweet and clean and everything that is to be desired. I have again to bear testimony to the general courtesy Courtesy I have received from those to whom I have during the accorded past year made representations on various matters. construction In connection with my visits to houses when disease Ash Closets has been notified, I have had my attention directed to the and 1 ** r* r»rmc condition of ash closets and privies. The difference between those where the ash is delivered by a side spout, and those where it is emptied direct onto the excrement, is most marked in favour of direct delivery. In the case of the latter there is little or no smell, whilst in the former, there is a musty, close odour, on entering the closet.