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13
On many occasions when the ground has been opened in this
locality for the purpose of examining the condition of drains, it has
been noticed that the subsoil water has been within one to three
feet of the surface, and when, as is frequently the case, the drains
have been found so defective in construction, or by the improper
manner in which they have been repaired, bearing in mind the
results of Dr. Ballard's investigations, it is easy to imagine the
amount of mischief such leakages may cause.
Working on the following lines may possibly in time bring about
the desired result, viz., the decrease of this high rate:—
Prompt removal of all liquid and other filth from neighbourhood
and dwellings, thereby preventing the fouling of the
soil with matters out of which the material of Diarrhœa can
be produced.
Frequent scavenging, specially in the poorer streets.
The remedying of insanitary defects, drains, waterclosets,
etc.
The lowering of ground water (where possible).
Prevention of access of ground air to dwellings, which is
done in the case of new buildings. Every opportunity
should also be taken to accomplish this in old buildings, by
paving the site and the space immediately surrounding same
with impervious material.
The exercise of care to protect food of all kinds, specially
milk, by providing a well-constructed, lighted and ventilated
place for the storage of same.
Domestic cleanliness and ventilation of dwellings.
Infantile
Mortality.
The number of infants under one year of age who died during
the year was 153, and is represented by a ratio of 133.9 to every 1000
births registered, which is an increase of 51.68 on last year, and 11.95
above the average for the past ten years.
While the general death-rate for the country has for some years
shown a substantial decline, the infantile rate has either remained
stationary or shown a slight increase.
As to what should be considered a normal or standard infantile
death-rate is a much debated point amongst those who have studied
the question.