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9
There were ten deaths, viz:—5 from Scarlatina, and 5 from Diphtheria.
Of these, 5 occurred in patients belonging to our district, and the remainder
to other districts. This Institution is well managed so far as the means at
the disposal of the staff permit, but it is certainly not large enough for
the requirements made upon it, as on more than one occasion recently
patients have had to be refused admission for want of room, and it will be of
great benefit to all districts when Southall has a Hospital of its own. In my
last Annual Report the following paragraph appeared: "It would be butter
if different diseases could be more widely separated and nurses appointed for
each."I regret that I was in error when I made that statement, as recently
each separate disease has had special nurses, although it was not so formerly.
Extra closets, with bath-room and dressing-room are now in course of construction,
which will obviate the necessity of patients returning to the
Institution after a disinfecting bath, and the putting on of fresh clothing,
previous to leaving the Hospital. The drainage is very primitive and
imperfect, and in my Report to the Local Government Inspector at the recent
enquiry as to the drainage of Hillingdon, Cowley, Yiewsley, and West
Drayton, the following paragraph occurs: "Sink washings and soapy water
"are drained into a large open cesspit in the centre of the premises, which
"overflows and irrigates the land, which slopes considerably at this point
"towards the river Pinn; the overflow, however, does not pollute
"the river, being absorbed by the land before reaching it. It is, however,
"very offensive, and when the wind sets towards the Hospital the stench
" must be very objectionable."
Workhouse.—I have no remarks to make as to this Institution, except
that it is very cleanly, and is admirably managed.
Water.—I have made qualitative analyses of nine samples of water
during the year, two of which obtained from the Canal I found to be of
bad quality.
Drainage.—With the exception of Ruislip, nothing has been done to
improve the drainage of our district. The schemes for Hayes and Eastcote
appear to have entirely collapsed; I trust, however, this is only for a time,
and that although at present in abeyance they have not been entirely lost
sight of, but will shortly be revived. Hillingdon, Cowley, Yiewsley, and
West Drayton are in a better position, as an enquiry was held late in the
year by an Inspector from the Local Government Board as to a system of
drainage for these parishes, which I hope will bear good fruit.