Mr. R.D.R. Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board on the prevalence of diphtheria and enteric fever in the Tottenham urban sanitary district / [R.D.R. Sweeting].

  • Sweeting, R. Deane.
Date:
[1885]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Mr. R.D.R. Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board on the prevalence of diphtheria and enteric fever in the Tottenham urban sanitary district / [R.D.R. Sweeting]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    were designed for a maximum population of 20,000, still remain, although much has been done in the way of addition and improvement since that date, and several loans for sewerage purposes have been granted by the Local Govern¬ ment Board. Recently, a further scheme for the extension and amelioration of the sewage outfall works at a cost of over 13,000k has been sanctioned. The question of sewer-ventilation has also received attention at the hands of the Sanitary Authority ; and a special report on the subject was drawn up by Mr. de Pape, the Surveyor, in 1880, in which he advised further action in connexion with the erection of upcast shafts. Very little, however, has been done towards effectually improving the condition of sewer-ventilation. As regards flushing of the sewers, no self-acting apparatus has apparently been thought necessary for this purpose. It is but right to add that a complete remodelling of the sewers is under consideration, and that already a con¬ siderable length of a 3' 6 brick sewer has been laid in Broad Lane. The greater number of cesspools have been filled up since Mr. Radcliffe’s inspection. It is also proposed to considerably increase the amount of the Local Board’s water supply, and to make the service if possible a constant one. For this purpose fresh borings are being made into the chalk at Longwater, and fresh pumping power is to be provided. No systematic house-to-house inspection of the district appears to be practised, nor has such action been within the capacity of a single Nuisance Inspector. No hospital provision has as yet been made by the Sanitary Authority. Paupers suffering from infectious disease are sent to the Edmonton Work- house Hospital, and non-pauper Small-pox cases to the Highgate Small-pox Hospital. But there is no hospital isolation obtained by the Sanitary Autho¬ rity for non-paupers suffering from diseases other than Small-pox. Some of the Enteric Fever cases occurring in better class houses are admitted to the Training Hospital at Tottenham High Cross. The sanitary committee of the Local Board are, however, busy looking for a hospital site, but so far they have not been successful in finding a suitable one. Disinfection of houses by burning sulphur is usually carried out after the occurrence of infectious disease, but the Sanitary Authority possesses no proper disinfecting chamber. At a meeting of the Local Board on May 5th of this year, it was agreed to adopt a system of voluntary notification of infectious disease by medical practitioners to the Health Officer, a fee of 2s. 6d. being given for each notice. No closure of schools for Diphtheria was recommended by the Medical Officer of Health, or carried out by the Sanitary Authority. Sanitary Administration.—The Local Board consists of 12 members, but it is proposed to considerably extend this number. Mr. Edward Crowne is Clerk, receiving a salary of 450k per annum; Dr. Tyndale Watson, of Totten¬ ham, is Medical Officer of Health, at a salary of 75k ; and Mr. Conolly, of Wood Green, Assistant Medical Officer of Health, at a salary of 50k Mr. A. de Pape, C.E.,is Surveyor, at an annual stipend of 500k, and is debarred from other professional employment. Mr. C. Easton is the recently appointed Inspector of Nuisances for the whole District, at a yearly remuneration of 150k, and is also debarred from other work. The Sanitary Authority has an. excellent series of bye-laws as to new streets and buildings based upon those of the Local Government Board; and a building inspector is appointed to see that they are observed. R. D. R. Sweeting. May 25th, 1885. RECOMMENDATIONS. (1.) In reference to any improvements in sewerage which are to be under¬ taken, regard should be had to the urgent need for adequate and proper ventilation; and for efficient flushing of the old sewers.