Dr. R.W. Johnstone's report to the Local Government Board upon an outbreak of enteric fever in the Urban District of Ormesby.

  • Johnstone, R. W.
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dr. R.W. Johnstone's report to the Local Government Board upon an outbreak of enteric fever in the Urban District of Ormesby. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Water supply.—North Ormesby and Cargo Fleet are supplied from the mains of the Tees Valley Water Board, with the exception of a small portion of Cargo Fleet which is supplied from a reservoir on Ormesby Hills. Hospital accommodation and disinfection,—Cases of infectious disease are sent to the Middlesbrough Sanatorium situated about 2^ miles from North Ormesby, between Ayrsome and Linthorpe. A charge of 65. a day is made by the town council -for each patient, besides one guinea for the ambulance.* During 1908, 30 enteric fever patients were removed to hospital. The following measures for disinfection were taken during the outbreak of enteric fever in 1908. On notification of a case the inspector of nuisances, accompanied by an assistant, visited the house and used a thirty per cent, solution of cyllin to soak the walls and contents of the privy midden, or pail closet. After the removal of the patient sulphur was burned in the room. Bedding was burned at a furnace near the sewage tanks. When the patient was nursed at home sanitary pails were provided, and removed twice daily, the contents being buried after disinfection with cyllin. Disinfectants were supplied free, and a printed circular was left giving full directions for the prevention of the spread of infection. The medical officer of health personally visited all cases. History of Enteric Fever in the District PRIOR TO 1908. Table I. Showiny the notifications of enteric fever in Ormesby Urban District during each year of the period 1894-1907 inclusive, and the number oj deaths from the same cause. — Cases. Deaths. — Cases. Deaths. 1894 16 1 1901 12 2 1895 42 7 1902 7 1 1896 13 1 1903 8 2 1897 16 2 1904 12 1 1898 44 2 1905 3 1 1899 21 2 1906 11 3 1900 4 — 1907 19 4 From this table it will be seen that there has long been undue prevalence of enteric fever in the district, although in occasional years the incidence of the disease has not exceeded, or has not even attained the average.f ® These charges are defrayed by the urban district council except in the case of paupers, who are paid for by the Guardians. f Notifications and deaths of imported cases at the North Ormesby General Hospital are not included in this table.