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108
habit of drinking water used for an engine, and drawn from the
Arsenal Canal. I have also been informed that it is no uncommon
practice to drink the water of this canal. As this water
is liable to be polluted with the excreta of labourers working in
its vicinity, it is very likely to contain the infection of Enteric
Fever.
15. If men are so foolish as to drink this impure water the
Arsenal authorities cannot be blamed for the result, provided
they supply sufficient sources of pure water. I may add that I
have been in communication with the Director General on the
subject of Enteric Fever in Arsenal Employees ; he instituted an
enquiry and the Senior Medical Officer reported that there were
no conditions in the Arsenal likely to give rise to Enteric.
Cholera.
16. An invasion of Cholera was again expected last year, and
as a matter of fact the disease did seem to get a certain hold of
the country. No cases occurred however in Plumstead. I was
in communication with the County Council and the Asylums
Board on the subject, and advised as to preparation for Ambulance
Stations, &c. I also made arrangements to secure the
services of trained nurses in case they were needed, and the
Committee authorized me in the event of Cholera appearing to
take any measures which I might deem necessary before I could
consult them. I again issued the handbill of precautions against
Cholera published in 1892. The local registrars were requested
to give me immediate information of any deaths from diarrhœa.
Influenza.
17. When Influenza commenced to prevail in the Autumn
a paragraph was inserted in the local papers on my