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89
This very severe outbreak, which appears to have resulted from contamination of
the water supply, afflicted Maidstone during September, October, November and
December. Over 1,900 case3, with between 150 and 200 deaths occurred amongst a
population of 32,000. Severe outbreaks also occurred at King's Lynn and Clifton
near Bristol, the former due to a water supply which was exposed to pollution and
the latter to an infected milk supply.
In connection with the subject of enteric fever I would draw attention to the
recent investigations made by Dr. Sidney Martin, F.R.S., as to
THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE BACILLUS OF ENTERIC FEVER
IN THE SOIL.
These researches, an account of which is contained in the report of the
medical officer of the Local Government Board for 1896-7, so far as they have been
pursued, tend to shew that in earth, which is organically polluted, as is likely to be the
case in the vicinity of defective drains, leaky cesspits, or in the neighbourhood of
dwellings in crowded and poor localities, the micro-organisms which give rise to
enteric fever, are not only capable of retaining their vitality for months,but of increasing
and multiplying in numbers. On the other hand, in soils which are not exposed
to pollution, the micro-organisms are unable to flourish, and rapidly become extinct.
Similar results have been obtained by at least one other investigator in the same field
of research, and they go to emphasize the very great importance of the sanitary work
such as is executed under the supervision of your sanitary officers, in respect to the
proper paving and drainage of yards and areas in connection with dwellings, and in
securing the proper construction of drains and other sanitary arrangements so as to
prevent the soil from being polluted.
The very great importance, from a public health standpoint, of the extensive
works which have been or are being executed by the Vestry, such as the construction
and reconstruction of sewers, the paving and repaving of streets, the provision of
public open spaces, and of public underground conveniences, is generally recognised.
A word might, however, be said with reference to the paving of courts, cul-de-sacs
and narrow streets, in localities occupied by poor people who find life a hard struggle,
with impervious material. There are many such in the parish which have already
been so paved, and every shower of rain helps to wash them clean, but many still
remain which require to be dealt with in a similar manner. The importance of this as
a sanitary precaution in narrow thoroughfares in the more densely populated portion
of the parish cannot have too much stress laid upon it. By facilitating cleansing
and preventing the pollution of the soil, it adds to the comfort of the people, and goes
along way towards raising the standard of health in such localities.
ERYSIPELAS.
The cases notified as erysipelas numbered 231, being at the rate of 1.9 per
thousand inhabitants, as compared with 295 in 1896, 201 in 1895, 195 in 1894, 315 in