[Report 1909] / Medical Officer of Health, Salop / Shropshire County Council.

  • Shropshire Council
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1909] / Medical Officer of Health, Salop / Shropshire County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    114/148 (page 92)
    Phthisis. There was i death from phthisis. Voluntary notitication has not been adopted. There were two notifications of poor-law cases. Steps with regard to inquiry, advice and disin¬ fection were carried out. Isolation Accommodation. There is a small-pox hospital in common with the Shifnal Rural District. There is no hospital for any other disease. Dr. Gepp suggests that in the absence of small-pox this hospital might be used for advanced cases of phthisis. Disinfection. The Sanitary Inspector sprays infected premises in notified cases and disinfectants are supplied. A small portable steam disinfector has been recommended, but no action so far taken. Water Supply. The public supply has now come into full use. It is from the Madeley reservoir, being pumped to two reservoirs in the district, the larger holding 175,000 gallons and the smaller, at a higher level, 25,000 gallons. The water is supplied at 6d. per thousand gallons up to 50,000 gallons a day, and 5d. per thousand up to 100,000, which is the limit of supply. Two hundred and twenty houses have been connected to the mains, and there are 118 standpipes. The present consumption is 20,000 to 25,000 gallons a day, or three gallons per head. Eight private wells have been examined and found unfit for drinking. Sewerage and Drainage. The sewers of the district are being improved by the Council from year to year. Engineers have been engaged ‘ ‘ to make a survey and prepare such plans as will show the proper ])oints for outfalls, the course which will have to be taken by intercepting sewers necessary for the collection of the sewage and conveyance to the selected points of outfall, and the size of such intercepting sewers and of other trunk sewers.” ‘ ‘ There can be no question as to the wisdom of the Council in taking this course, nor as to its true economy. Furnished with a complete plan, every new work of the Council in draining and sewering will be certain to find its proper and permanent place in any eventual complete sewerage scheme.” ” Dark Lane.—The overflow from the septic tank has been cut off from the brook and a storm water overflow substituted. The sewage is pumped periodically from the tank and carted on to land in the district.” Old untrapped surface water drains have been re-placed in many cases by trapped gullies. Attention should be paid to the proper ventilation of the sewers by shafts. Excrement Disposal and Scavenging. The number of water closets is 35, earth or pail closets 13, and privies 1,257. During the year six privies were converted to water closets and 2 to pail closets. The conversion of privies to water closets is recommended in the centre of the town and to pail closets where houses have sufficient land. Scavenging. Facilities for the removal of refuse are provided at cost price, by the Council. The system has not shown any extension during the year. Housing. The majority of the houses are small and for the most part of old construction. There has been much improvement in recent years. Special attention should be paid to remediable causes of dampness, and the lighting and ventilation of bedrooms. Permissive Powers. Part III. of the Public Health Acts (Amendment) Act, i8go, is in force. The Infectious Disease (Prevention) Act, i8go, is not in force. There are By-laws with respect to Nuisances, New Buildings, Slaughter Houses, and Common Lodging Houses.