Dr. R. Deane Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board upon a re-inspection of Ilkeston Borough : with especial reference to the use of the hospital for infectious diseases there.

  • Sweeting, R. Deane.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dr. R. Deane Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board upon a re-inspection of Ilkeston Borough : with especial reference to the use of the hospital for infectious diseases there. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    inanliules by liosepiiinps \h now supplemented by that from two automatic tanks at tlie heads of certain lines of sewers. Similarly, manhole cover ventilation has l)een sup])lemented by 6-in. upcast shafts, of which have already been put up in the borough. House drainage,—This is on the whole good. But some un- trapped sink waste pipes deliver unsatisfactorily to gulleys, viz., without an intervening channel. And there are still a few bell- traps remaining for indoor sinks, though they are being gradually reduced in number. Improvement in these respects is being gradually brought about. Excrement disposal.—Most of the unsatisfactory midden privies described by Dr. Wheaton still exist. Their number has been diminished from 971 to 859 since his report in 1899. Pail closets have increased from 2,400 to 2,418; water closets, including Duckett’s water waste closets, from 678 to 2,255 in the same period. The privy conversions have averaged 26 annually during 1902-09 i but they have not been uniform, ranging fi*om 3 in 1904 to 60 in 1905. Kecently, however, the town council have applied to the Board for sections 39-42 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act of 1907 to be put in force in the borough. The grantingof the powers conferred by these sections may be expected to lead to greater activity and more uniform procedure with regard to this much- needed sanitary improvement. Middens are at present scavenged every three months; pail closets weekly. Refuse disposal.—Besides privy middens and dry brick ashpits many movable receptacles are in use, either wooden tubs or galvanised zinc pails, the contents of which are said to be removed every week. But heaps of filthy and decaying refuse are to be found in back yards, many of which are littered with this refuse and with ashes. Many of the dry ashpits, too, into which former middens have been converted, are in a dilapidated state. There are three ‘‘ tips ” for refuse in the borough, which are not altogether satisfactory. Two of them are badly placed, being too close to houses, whilst the third is in a very offensive condition, inasmuch as midden contents are deposited upon it, in addition to house refuse proper. The town council have a scavenging contract with a private contractor, dated August 1910, by which houses are scavenged for 4s. 9r/. each per annum, and schools, factories, &c. for 12.9., paid by the town council, and recovered by them from owners, as part of the general district rate. But the occupiers of better class houses, usually of £20 rateable value and over, pay this rate thernselves, by arrangement with their landlords. The inspector of nuisances supervises the carrying out of the contract on behalf of the town council, and is given nominally certain controlling powers by virtue of this contract. Judging by the condition of many of the middens and of the back yards, it would probably be a better arrangement if the town council were to undertake the scavenging themselves, in which case the inspector of nuisances would have a freer hand and be able to deal more directly with the workmen than when these are employed by the contractor. Certainly, the existing