Medical report / British Honduras.

  • British Honduras. Medical Department.
Date:
[1932]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: Medical report / British Honduras. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/52 (page 7)
    South Side Canal has not been erected by the Local Authority owing to lack of funds. Individual septic tanks are becoming popular among the better class residents, but there are too many houses where owing to lack of water, funds, or of space, water closets are an impossibility. This being so, the emptying of utensils into the Canals while it may be unsightly and disagreeable, is far more sanitary than storage in pails or pits within the house or in close proximity to other houses. The Public Latrines are all built over the sea or liver or canals and they are maintained in a sanitary condition. (b) In other parts of the Colony.—In Stann Creek Town, conditions resem¬ ble those prevailing in Belize. In other districts, pit latrines are in use. In the scattered villages in the country districts, the most primitive methods exist. The surface of the ground being almost entirely used. Removal and Disposal of Refuse. The scavenging of the town of Belize and other towns in the Colony is performed under the direction of the Local Authority. In Belize, motor trucks to replace the mule carts have been employed by the Local Authority and con¬ ditions continue to be much improved. The Bye-Laws require that the receptacles used by householders should be covered,' but they are very often not covered. As they are emptied prompt¬ ly of their contents no nuisance is caused. The Bye-Law requiring daily sweep¬ ings and cleaning of yards by householders has not been repealed but a written notice, giving time for the cleaning up and sweeping is now given. This notice is usually complied with. The town rubbish is “dumped” within the town limits. Rubbish is now being covered with earth within 24 hours of “dumping” it, or alternatively is burnt. Water Supply. (а) Belize.—Rain water stored in vats, tanks and other receptacles on premises of householders is the only source of drinking water. There are many wells, but these are not used for the supply of water for drinking purposes. The Town Board has a supply of rain water stored in vats for sale to the general public. The supply is inadequate if there is a prolonged dry season and generally for domestic and sanitary services. Especially has the supply been inadequate this year, on account of the destruction of vats and tanks caused by the hurri¬ cane. (б) In the out-districts, the water supply is similar to Belize, In Stann Creek, river water is also used. Drainage. In Belize.—There are a few drains in the town, but few of them act effect¬ ually owing to the absence of any fall to the sea. During high tide, there is actually an inflow from the sea, river, and canals to the adjoining streets and house lots. In the rainy season, oil has to be continually applied to such water in these drains as does not soak through the soil.