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15
In the second and third of the Tables details will be found relating to
the drainage and water supply of the houses, and it is satisfactory to note
the very large proportion connected with the sewers, and the very small
number not supplied with water from the Company's mains.
Drain Testing. The testing of drains is one of the most important
of the duties of the Health Department and the bearing of this work on the
public health is too obvious to need comment. The reasons for the tests
carried out may be roughly divided into three classes:—(1) Complaints received,
(2) Infectious diseases and (3) New buildings.
(1) 21 complaints of nuisances arising from drains were received, necessitating
the testing of the drains of 58 houses. Defeets were found in 48 of these
and during the progress of the work of putting them in order 142 re-tests
had to be done.
(2) It is not always found to be necessary to test the drains of every
house in which a case of infectious disease has occurred. During the year
86 cases were the cause of an investigation into the drains of houses.
Of these cases 38 were Scarlet-fever. 85 houses were tested in connection
with these, and defects were found in 45. In 18 the defect was found in
the house in which the illness had commenced, though of course it must not
be assumed that the disease was due to the defect. 120 re-tests were carried
out whilst the defects were being remedied.
130 houses were examined in consequence of 46 cases of Diphtheria,
and detects were found in 71. In 25 of the houses the defect was in the
first house. 196 re-tests were made. Two cases of Enteric caused 11 houses to
be examined, in 5 of which defects were found.
In connection with these three diseases the drains of 226 houses were
examined, and defects were found in 121. 348 re-tests, additional to the
original test, were made.
(3) The testing of the drains of all new houses, prior to the granting of
a Habitation Certificate, is carried out in conjunction with the Surveyor's
Department. The drains of 504 new buildings were carefully tested and
defects were found in 390 (over 77 per cent.) All these 390 houses were
re-tested after the defect had been made good. In most of the cases