Medical report / British Honduras.

  • British Honduras. Medical Department.
Date:
[1935]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

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

    34/46 (page 26)
    During the rainy seasons of the year, there is retention of water in almost every sec¬ tion of the town which involves great expenditure in oiling stagnant pools and drains. Scavenging:—The general scavenging of the town is performed by the Local Au¬ thority under the direction of the Senior Sanitary Inspector. The rubbish is conveyed to dumping grounds within the town limits by mule carts and one motor truck. The rubbish deposited on these grounds is generally covered over with some other material within 48 hours as to avoid any nuisance arising therefrom. Subject to funds available, and under the circumstances, the general scavenging of the town is fairly well performed. Crab Destruction:—During the year, 63,241 crab holes were destroyed by use of cyanogas, as against 47,910 last year. Crab holes afford ideal breeding places for mosquitos and the crabs themselves are destructive to vegetable and flower plants. Septic Tanks:—There are 209 septic tanks in the town as against 199 last year and 106 direct lines. The use of modern sewage disposal is becoming more popular among the better class residents. The remaining householders have their excreta removed nightly to the sea, river or canals, in buckets or other utensils. Water Supply:—The water supply of the town is inadequate, especially when there is a prolonged dry season. The Local Authority has a supply of rain water stored in tanks for sale to the gen¬ eral public during the dry season, but often this supply is exhausted and the use of river water is resorted to and the people encounter great difficulty in obtaining water for drinking purposes. Public Latrines:—There are 21 public latrines in the town. Eight hundred and fifty-one visits of inspection were made by the sanitary staff. They are usually found in a sanitary condition and on no occasion was it found necessary to make a report to the Local Authority regarding their condition. Latrine accommodations in Schools:—Latrine accommodations in schools is in¬ adequate. The Wesleyan Methodist and St. Mary’s Schools have adopted a sewage sys¬ tem for sewage disposal for the convenience of its pupils. The St. Ignatius School in the Mesopotamia Area has adopted a sewage system known as the Kentucky Automatic Flush tank which has been working satisfactorily. The other schools have adopted the use of the antiquated pail system. Public Baths:—Two bath houses have been constructed at the Newtown Barracks for use of the general public. These are being used and kept in a sanitary condition. Bakeries:—There are 9 bakeries in use in Belize. These are visited weekly during the year by the sanitary staff and instructions given to lime-wash or paint when re¬ quired. Instructions are also given to provide other sanitary requirements in connection therewith. All employees are ceriified by a Medical Practitioner as fit persons to be em¬ ployed in a bakehouse. No prosecution was made for breaches of the Bakehouse Regulations. Market and Slaughter House :—One hundred and twenty visits of inspection were made to the market and slaugher-house during the year. On many occasions, reports were made to the Local Authority regarding insanitary conditions found in the Market and Slaughter-house The sanitary condition of the market has been improved. Two water closets and one urinal have been constructed in connection with the market and are being used and kept in a sanitary condition.