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the disease, and which, together with the generally improved
sanitary conditions now existing, has undoubtedly prevented
the disease from so far becoming epidemic.
Disinfection.
Disinfection by fumigation was carried out in 1,404
instances during the year. In the majority of cases, sulphurous
acid gas was the agency employed ; in other cases, however,
where the sulphur fumes would be liable to injure metal work
or delicate fabrics, formalin was used. Disinfectants were
also gratuitously supplied in 5,631 instances, either at the
houses or upon application at the Disinfectant Stores, Town
Hall Road. The disinfectants distributed, consisted of 2-1b.
packets of carbolic powder and i-pint bottles of Sanitas fluid.
Steam disinfection was carried out during the year in
four hundred and ninety-two instances; the articles weighing
39 tons, 10 cwt., 3 qrs., 27 1bs. The amount paid to the
contractor (Mr. W. G. Lacy) during the year amounted to
£732 9s. 9d.
The present practice is to disinfect by steam after all cases
of enteric fever, after fatal cases of all notifiable diseases and
phthisis, the latter subject to permission, and in all cases where
patients are treated at their homes. When the Council's
Disinfectant Station is erected it is proposed to disinfect by
steam after every case of infectious disease notified.
At the time of writing my last report, the recommendation
to provide a disinfecting station had been referred back to the
Health Committee, who appointed a Sub-Committee of View,
to consider details and cost, and on the Ist May, 1900, the
following report was submitted by them to the Health
Committee :—
"Your Sub-Committee have had before them a return,