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148
The following report I presented to a specially convened meeting
of the Public Health and Sanitary Committee:—
CHOLERA.
Public Health and Sanitary Department,
Newington vestry,
August 31st, 1892.
Gentlemen,
I have to report, what is well known to you all, that during the last
fortnight Cholera has broken out amongst emigrants arriving at Gravesend
and various other ports in England from Hamburg, in which city the
complaint is reported as being widely spread.
For months past we have all been watching the westward course of the
disease, hoping to escape it. Although the complaint is not actually in our
parish, it is sufficiently near to cause the Committee to take all steps possible,
in the event of its introduction, to stay its progress.
As far as the sanitary condition of the parish is concerned, a vast amount
of sanitary work has been done in the past few years, and I believe we were
never in a better position to withstand an invasion. Your Chairman has
had many interviews with me, and with his consent I have drawn up and had
printed a circular setting forth in a simple manner some of the elementary
directions householders should observe.
The circular which I submit is in process of being distributed, and it is
intended to leave a copy at every house in the parish.
I have directed the Sanitary Inspectors to visit frequently those portions
of the parish where animal or vegetable refuse is likely to be deposited.
To visit fruit and vegetable shops, markets like East Street and Westmoreland
Road, and any place where unsound and unwholesome fruit, &c.,
is likely to be sold. Similar directions have been given with regard to meat
and fish shops.
I have also written to Mr. Leach, Acting Surveyor, with regard to the
cleansing and purifying of gullies, and to the daily sweeping and cleansing
of such streets as Hard Street, Townley Street, Caroline Place, and others.
The Dust Inspector has also received instructions to exercise the greatest
care in having the dustbins emptied.
The following preliminary measures I would advise the Committee
to adopt:—
1.—To place under my control a gang of your workmen (say 12 in
number) to carry out during the next fortnight a house-to-house
inspection.
2.—To invite medical men in our parish to notify all cases of Diarrhoea
in persons above 12 years of age at the usual charge of 2/6 each case.
3.-To allow disinfectants to be ordered and distributed under my
directions.