[Report 1893] / Medical Officer of Health, Merthyr Tydfil U.D.C.

  • Merthyr Tydfil (Wales). Urban District Council.
Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Report 1893] / Medical Officer of Health, Merthyr Tydfil U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    19/42 (page 9)
    The feeder derived from the Taff Fawr runs from below the Railway Viaduct at Cefn to the works. It runs from the above named point along the west bank of the Taff Fawr to the place where this river joins with the Taff Fechan to form the River Taff, and thence it continues to the iron works, passing on its way behind, and at a higher level than the Brick Works ; its total length as measured on the ordinance map being about three- quarters of a mile. ■* It is known by the name of the “ High Level Feeder.” Almost immediately above the intake of this feeder is a deposit of filth and ashes on the Cefn bank of the River Taft Fawr ; some drainage from the village of Cefn also reaches the river above the intake of the feeder. There is, of course, no means possible for the prevention of accidental pollution of the water in the feeder itself, which runs in the open right into the works ; but it is not likely from the surroundings that the water would be polluted except in the works or in the last eighth of its course. The waters from the Taff Fechan are carried in what is called the “ Low Level Feeder,” from a weir below the road bridge at the bottom of the village of Cefn direct into the works, a distance of about one sixth of a mile as measured on the Ordinance map. 13. Under the Road bridge at the bottom of Cefn the surface drainage from the town discharges into the river. There is evidence of the direct pollution of the water in this stream with Typhoid excreta in the latter fortnight of July ; a case of Typhoid Fever having occurred in Well-street, and all the slops and discharges from the patient having found their way along a surface wTater gutter direct into the river. The sequence of the cases connected with this epidemic is shown in the following table : — Distance Case Date. Name. Age. Residence. irom works. Remarks. *1. 17 Aug. J.D. U Penydarren 2.2 miles Died. +2. 7 Sept. J.D. 12 Quarry Row ij: mile * T 12 Sept. E.J. l6 67, Heolgerrig 2 miles *4- 15 Sept. S.D. 17 Quarry Row § mile Sister to 2. *5- 15 Sept. M.G. 14 29, Heolgerrig 2 miles *6. 10 Oct. M.M. 29 67, Iloelgerrig 2 miles / • 12 Oct. D.R. 26 George Town 1 mile 8. 16 Oct. M.G. 35 29, Heolgerrig 2 miles Mother of 5. 9. 17 Nov. ].G. 13 29, Heolgerrig 2 miles Sister of 5. 10. 20 Nov. M.R. 28 George Town 1 mile Wife of 7 died. 11. 26 Nov. M.M. 68 67, Heolgerrig 2 miles Mother of 6 died. Cases marked * were engaged at the Cyfarthfa Brickworks. f This child used to take food to his sister, case 4, and drank of the water from spout A. 244.