Dr. F. St. George Mivart's report to the Local Government Board on the general sanitary circumstances and administration of Biggleswade rural district, and on the prevalence of diphtheria and enteric fever therein / [F. St. George Mivart].

  • Mivart, F. St. George.
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Dr. F. St. George Mivart's report to the Local Government Board on the general sanitary circumstances and administration of Biggleswade rural district, and on the prevalence of diphtheria and enteric fever therein / [F. St. George Mivart]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    SPECIAL SANITARY MEASURES TAKEN WITH REFERENCE TO INFECTIOUS DISEASE. Briefly summarized, the following are the special measures taken, by the Rural District Council with a view to arrest the spread of infectious disease, ■especially diphtheria. Bedding and clothing from infected houses are spread out in the sun as much as possible. The district does not possess proper means of disinfecting these articles. With regard to disinfection of premises, which is carried out by means of sulphur fumigation, the Inspector of Nuisances informs me that in the majority of cases he now himself conveys the sulphur candles to the house to be disinfected, and personally sees the work commenced. At times, when he is unable to do this, the caretaker of the hospital undertakes the work. On the whole, it would appear that lime washing and re-papering of infected premises are now fairly well attended to. When accommodation is available, the removal of patients to the Infectious Disease Hospital is always urged, and is now much more frequently assented to, as prejudice against that institution appears to be breaking down. When removal to hospital is declined isolation is enjoined, and careful instructions are given for the carrying this out. At the first visit of the Inspector of Nuisances to an infected dwelling a survey of this and of neighbouring premises is made, and all nuisances are rectified as far as possible. Disinfectants are also supplied for scattering about and for mixing with excreta. I gathered that during the latter part of the term of office of the late Inspector of Nuisances these and similar matters had not been carefully attended to. As regards the exclusion from the schools of children from infected families, I am informed that the Inspector of Nuisances gives warning to schoolmasters in order that this may be done. GENERAL SANITARY ADMINISTRATION. The Biggleswade Rural District Council are the successors of the former Biggleswade Rural Sanitary Authority in whose administrative area was included the town of Biggleswade which has since been formed into a separate urban district. The Rural District Council consist of 34 members whose meetings are held fortnightly at the workhouse of the Biggleswade Union. Since April, 1899, sanitary matters are dealt with at each meeting, instead of at alternate meetings as formerly. There are a number of Committees dealing with various separate sanitary questions, viz., the “ Potton Sewerage ” Committee, and the “Arlesey Drainage” Committee, to which are referred all questions in connection with those special matters. There is also the “ Plans Committee ” to which are referred the plans for new buildings ; and there is the “ Sandy Scavenging Committee ” under whose recommendation the new scheme for the public scavenging of the parish of Sandy has been formulated. Finally the “ Hospital Committee ” deal with all matters connected with the Infectious Disease Hospital. The meetings of the Biggleswade Rural and Urban District Councils, and of the Guardians of the Biggleswade Union are all held upon, the same day. The Inspector of Nuisances attends each meeting of the Rural District Council, and he submits a report once a month. The Medical Officer of Health does not attend the meetings unless instructed to do so. There are Byelaws for the Biggleswade Rural District allowed by the Local Government Board in September, 1880, for the Biggleswade Rural Sanitary Authority, in respect of the following matters :— Common Lodging: Houses. O o New Streets and Buildings. Slaughter Houses. /