[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hampton].

  • Hampton (London, England). Urban District Council.
Date:
[1897]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hampton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The cases coming to my knowledge under the Notification Act, have been somewhat numerous. They embrace the following diseases :— Erysipelas ... ... ... ... 5 cases. Puerperal Fever ... ... ... 2 ,, Typhoid Fever ... ... ... 2 „ Membranous Croup ... ... ... 1 ,, Measles ... ... ... ... 15 ,, Scarlet Fever ... ... ... 58 „ Diphtheria ... ... ... ... 14 „ Scarlet Fever prevailed considerably—first in the spring time; after, in the early part of October and November, to a greater extent. The outbreak in October pointed so much to probable infection in Schools that I decided to close the two Elementary Schools for Boys and Girls for some weeks. I also obtained the consent of the Clergy to close the Sunday Schools in Hampton for the same period. This had the effect of stopping the outbreak; together with the removal of 27 cases to the Isolation Hospital at Tolworth. Only one death took place, that was at the Hospital. Diphtheria prevailed in several houses, but was not epidemic, and spread over the year in odd places; the cause was almost always traced to defects in the drainage, which were attended to and remedied. Two of the cases ended fatally; six of the 14 persons attacked were removed to the Isolation Hospital. Measles were not epidemic, and mild in character. There has been during the latter months of the year a good deal of trouble from overflowing cesspools and drains, caused by an excess of rainfall. This trouble is now likely soon to disappear for good, as the system of drainage for this district is progressing well, and will, in all probability, be completed next year. This has long been a very great want, ever since the overflow of drains connected with cesspools has been cut off from the River Thames. It is sincerely to be hoped that pipes will be well and truly laid, and the scheme to drain this district will prove a great boon to all owners and occupiers of property in this neighbourhood. This cesspool draining has caused almost all the wells to be closed, by reason of subsoil contamination, for some years. Another well has had to be closed this year. The result of my visits to Dairies, Slaughter-houses and Bake-houses, has satisfied me that they are well looked after. I have advised more frequent lime-washing in Slaughter- houses. House-refuse has been, with advantage, more frequently removed; and the adoption of closed metal bins to a very much increased extent, has been productive of improved sanitation and convenience. This I thought necessary to urge upon the inhabitants this year, and am sure of good results following to all concerned, particularly in confined premises. The water supply, provided by the Grand Junction Water Co., has been very well maintained during all the months in the year; there was an ample amount for all purposes during the long dry season experienced this past summer; the quality has been good, .and,, as a rule, well filtered.
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