[Report 1908] / Medical Officer of Health, Whitchurch (Shropshire) R.D.C.

  • Whitchurch (Shropshire, England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1908] / Medical Officer of Health, Whitchurch (Shropshire) R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Report of the MedicalOfficer of Health OF THE WOTFCHOTCHI RTO&l OlSfRieT For the Year Ending December 31st, 11)08. Gbntlrmen, I beg to present the annual report for igo8. The physical features and general character of the district, and general condition Of its population. This district is made up of the divisions of Whitchurch, Ganarew, Welsh Bicknor, Welsh Newton, Llanrothal and Garvvay. All are distinctly rural, sparsely populated, and most of the population are engaged in agricultural work. There are elevated parts in all the divisions, and these slope down, more or less abruptly, to the river Monnow in the Llanrothal Division, and to the river Wye in the Whitchurch and Welsh Bicknor divisions; while Welsh Newton, Garvvay and Ganarew are the hilly elevated districts between the other three; the highest point is in Welsh Newton and is between 600 and 700 feet above sea-level. The main occupation of the residents is agricultural work, and is healthy and conducive to longevity. The population is 1340. The House Accommodation for all classes is adequate and fit for habitation; two cases of overcrowding were remedied during the year. The open spaces around the houses are ample and kept fairly clean; all cases of negligence have been remedied after receiving the Inspector’s notice. The Supervision over the Erection ol iVew Houses, is limited to certifying that the water supply is satisfactory, before occupation is permitted. No action has been taken under the Housing of the Working Classes Act ; there has been none called for. The Water Supply is by wells, springs, storage tanks, and in some parts from the river Wye by force pumps. The supply is wholesome in quality, but very deficient in quantity, and in many instances the older cottages are some distance from a proper supply. In one case the deficient supply is now being improved. Tile public Wells and Springs are for the most part unguarded, and so, liable to pollution from cattle and the use of unclean vessels dipped into them. In one case a spring and pond were found very unclean and were purified. T here is no public water service. The nilk Supply is obtained from the farms; there are no milkshops within the district. The dairies and cowsheds have been maintained in a satisfactory state ; they have been inspected as occasion required ; in two cases where the drains were defective these were remedied. The only administration in regard to milk is that where infectious disease breaks out in a farm no milk is allowed to be sold from that farm. No tuberculous milk has been detected. As regards other Foods nothing unsound, or insanitary in the premises where it is prepared, has been detected, nor has any action been taken under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act—it was not required. No carcases, nor parts ot carcases, have been condemned for tuberculosis or any other cause. The Sewerage and Drainage is quite sufficient; where the house drains have been found defective they have been corrected. The methods Ot disposal ot Sewage is by means of earth closets, privies with pits, and garden irrigation. It is efficient, and where not attended to properly has been rectified. The Rivers and Streams in the district are free from pollution. Excrement Disposal is by means of digging pits in the gardens, and emptying the collections from the privies and closets into these, covering over with earth, and after a suitable interval using this as a fertilizer. This acts as an efficient way of disposal. The removal and disposal ot House Refuse is by means of middens, these are emptied and used on the gardens; where they have been found in a neglected state the Inspector’s notice has sufficed to call forth the necessary attention. No public scavenging or collecting of house refuse is carried out. Nuisances. All nuisances were abated on the receipt of the Inspector’s notice—there are none that have failed to yield to this. There are no lodgings nor offensive trades in the district requiring special bye-laws.