Dr. R. Deane Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board upon the general sanitary circumstances and administration of the borough of Poole, with special reference to dealing with infectious diseases.

  • Sweeting, R. Deane.
Date:
[1913]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dr. R. Deane Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board upon the general sanitary circumstances and administration of the borough of Poole, with special reference to dealing with infectious diseases. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    9 under consideration of authority for sewering by sections. Present means of excrement disposal by means of huge privy vaults, which are but rarely emptied, and which in many instances in the Parish of St. James’ are in very dangerous positions. Privy accommodation very deficient. Isolation accommodation defective. No disinfecting apparatus. Bye-laws obsolete. Administration inefficient.” Dr. Bulstrode also reported upon tlie Poole oyster fisheries in his 1896 general report to the Board upon ‘‘ An Inquiry into the conditions under which oysters and certain other edible molluses are cultivated and stored along the coast of England and Wales.” He found the oyster pits in Poole Harbour to be “ exceptionally exposed to sewage pollution.” Since Dr. Davies’ and Dr. Bulstrode’s inspections in 1885, 1893 and 1896, the Urban District of Branksoine was, by effect of a Provisional Order of May, 1905, afterwards confirmed by Parlia- ment, added to the borough boundaries, thus increasing its acreage by 2,598, and its population by 8,095. The whole borough thus enlarged presents striking contrasts in its several parts. Thus, St. James Parish, comprising the old town of Poole, is of ancient type and urban character; Ham- worthy is entirely, Longfleet largely, rural; Parkstone is chiefly residential, and, especially at Branksoine Park, approaches the amenities of the neighbouring waterplace of Bournemouth; whilst the recently added Branksoine Urban District is of an eminently suburban character. A large portion of this district, along with part of Parkstone, now constituting together what is called ‘‘ Upper Parkstone,” has been the chief scene of the pre- valence of infectious disease, as will be presently related. The whole boroitgh now consists of one civil parish, formed by the Provisional Order of 1905 above mentioned, and is divided into nine wards, the boundaries of which do not follow those of the five original ecclesiastical parishes. Sanitary Circumstances. Roads.—There are about 100 miles of roads in the borough, of which 15 are main and 82 subsidiary. In addition, there are over six miles of unmettalled roadways. The conditions of the latter and of many of the subsidiary roads leaves much to be desired. A great many side streets, especially in the “ Upper Parkstone ” district, are not made up, and have not been dedicated. Most of them are in a very bad condition, especially in the winter months. Housing.—The conditions to which Dr. Bulstrode referred in his report (pp. 6 and 7) as to dwelling-houses in St. James Parish (Poole Town) have been sensibly ameliorated since his inspection. I made a point of visiting the several properties mentioned in his report, and the following may be said to be briefly the result: — BoioUng Green Alley.—Privy vaults replaeed by w.c.’s, but cottages still back to back. Waterloo Buildings.—Paving and eavespouting improved. Waterloo Place.—Demolished. Bristowds Court.—Yoav cottages closed ; remaining one much improved. Fincher's Alley.—Improved ; privy vaults replaced by w.c.’s. No. 3^ Caroline Row.—No overcrowding now ; flooring improved ; but back window still does not open. Pump Yard.—Houses demolished. Fippert -Houses demolished,
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