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130
Medical Officers of Health Avnual Report.
219 last year, and the number of new ventilating pipes
erected was only 105 compared with £49. There is also
a slight diminution in the number of drains cleansed and
repaired, viz.:—325, as against 330 in 1895.
The number of waterclosets cleansed and repaired
shows a large increase, 447 compared with 398. The
reasons for this are principally three, 1st, that the size of
flushing cisterns erected in cottage property is too small,
the regulations of the water company only permitting a
2-gallon flush, while in the majority of cases this amount
does not exceed 11/2 gallons; 2nd, that the appliances are
not substantial enough in character, and readily deteriorate:
and 3rd, then the tenants themselves are often careless in
the use of the flush cistern, and some are wilfully careless
in throwing material into the closets for which they were
never intended.
A supply of water was laid on to 336 closets, a diminution
of 100, but the number is still too high.
Accumulations of manure are still a source of trouble
to the sanitary department. It seems to be increasingly
difficult for owners of horses to get rid of the manure,
especially at certain seasons. 23 cases more were dealt
with compared with last year, the total for 1896 being
66.
Two cesspools were abolished, but there still remain
a few in some parts of the parish.
The other particulars call for no comment, but a
study of the whole table will show that the sanitary department
has during the year performed a large amount of
necessary work, and it is important to observe that out of
all the nuisances dealt with by the staff during the year,
in only 11 was it necessary to take proceedings at the