[Report 1903] / Medical Officer of Health, King's Norton & Northfield U.D.C.

  • King's Norton and Northfield (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1903] / Medical Officer of Health, King's Norton & Northfield U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The more efficient, way in which the district is scavenged is shown by the much smaller number of complaints on this matter received from householders. The new Heenan & Froude Refuse Destructor, at Lifford, has not yet “ materialised, owing to various difficulties, as regards form of boilers, revolving hearth, and other mechanical details. This is unfortunate, as during the year there have been complaints of nuisance caused by “ tips, arising probably to a certain extent from sentiment. Things are, however,, now being pushed on, and very shortly I expect that the work will be begun. SEWAGE DISPOSAL. Most probably owing to the introduction, by the Surveyor, of the ventilator-shafts for the sewers, few complaints of bad “ drain smells have been received. It is certain that inhaling sewer gas must have a lowering- effect on health, and is liable to produce “ drain sore throat and sickness; though Diphtheria can hardly be due to sewer gas, as the microbe is not found in it. The Bartley Green drainage is much as it was in my last report, but the main sewer is to be started very soon, when great improvements can be made in the local drains. The small ozier bed which takes the Rednal sewage is reported to have been altered so as not to allow crude sewage to enter the stream. Owing to extensive alterations of the Rednal Temperance Hotel, the old building having been pulled down, the w.c. drains are being put right, and a large cesspool is being constructed. This will have a good effect on the stream, which here received its chief pollution. RIVER POLLUTION Owing, possibly, to a certain extent, to the cold, wet summer there were no complaints of nuisance from any of the streams in the district. No final agreement has been arrived at as to the effluent from the paper works, which still, therefore, enters the River Rea.