Mr. Spear's report to the Local Government Board on an outbreak of diphtheria in the Dingestow registration sub-district of the Monmouth rural sanitary district.

  • Spear, John.
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Mr. Spear's report to the Local Government Board on an outbreak of diphtheria in the Dingestow registration sub-district of the Monmouth rural sanitary district. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Mr. Spear’s Report to the Local Government Board on an outbreak of Diphtheria in the Dingestow Registration Sub-district of the Monmouth Rural Sanitary District. George Buchanan, Medical Department, October 26tb, 1888. The Dingestow Registration Sub-district is a wide and sparsely populated area, lying north and north-west of the town of Monmouth. It comprises 16 parishes, with populations ranging from 100 to 700; covers 45,862 acres, and contains a total population, according to the last census, of 4,920. Its surface is markedly undulatory, and in most part well elevated, with a general inclination towards the south. Two small rivers, the Monnow and the Trothey, with their tributary streams, drain it, flowing south and east to their junction at Monmouth with the Wye. Geologically, it consists of the old red sand¬ stone formation, with cornstones, the surface soil varying from a rich deep loam to stiffish clay, but in the latter case mostly with a porous rubbly sub-soil. Here and there the lower levels are occasionally flooded from the small streams, which rapidly gain strength in heavy rain but as rapidly subside. A luxuriant growth of trees, found especially often around the little hamlets, doubtless adds to the humidity of the atmosphere, while in the winter the condition of the by-roads which form the approach to the cottages, contributes to a prevailing dampness. The cottages are scattered, most of them standing in their own little plots of garden ground. Many of them, I am told, were built by the occupiers, or the forefathers of the occupiers, who “ squatted ” upon the land, and after¬ wards paid a small toll to the lord of the soil. The cottages are generally very small, and in many cases are in a bad state of repair. The stone or brick floors and the walls show obvious signs of dampness, and where the floors are boarded, the wood is often laid upon the bare earth. Surface paving and drainage around the cottages are generally wanting, so that a sodden condition of surroundings is the rule. Sewage is allowed to make pools in the vicinity of the dwelling, or to flow into some water course, often silted-up and stagnant, close by; and, where animals are kept, the close proximity of cow-sheds, pigsties, &c., and the absence of proper drainage, lead to much additional offensiveness. Privy accommodation is of the roughest and most primitive description, but is generally provided at some distance from the dwelling. Water is commonly obtained from some spring or “ runner ” in a neighbouring field or woodland fairly removed from habita¬ tions ; occasionally from wells sunk in sewage sodden earth. In dry summers many of the sources, it is said, fail. Personal intercourse between certain of the small communities that occupy this area is very close. In the parishes of Dingestow, Tregare, and Penrose, on the west, where diphtheria has recently prevailed, I found that a large pro¬ portion of the inhabitants were nearly related, either by birth or marriage, and often by both. A little further geographical separation is, on the other hand, sufficient to stop all gregarious tendency. Between the villages I have LONDON: PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE and SPOTTISWOODE, East Harding Street, Fleet Street, E.C.; or ADAM and CHARLES BLACK, 6, North Bridge, Edinburgh; of _ HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., 104, Grafton Street, Dublin. ] ^J'LLCQU^ —’-1— I library No. 30. 1888. Price Three 'pence. I* ih'.mnJ