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53. Smoke Nuisance.—In the autumn of the year I was
forcibly struck with the large amount of smoke emitted from
the Arsenal chimneys. I accordingly wrote to the Director
General in December, respectfully calling his attention to the
nuisance thus caused, and informing him that I frequently
observed dense black smoke proceeding from chimneys for
more than five minutes. He replied that he would take all
possible means to prevent the nuisance, and I am glad to say
that I have observed much less smoke during the past three
months.
54. Register of Nurses.—When Diphtheria and Scarlet
Fever have been prevalent, I have frequently found that
patients who were prevented from being moved to hospital,
owiug to want of accommodation in the Fever Hospitals,
could not be properly isolated in their own houses, owing to
the difficulty of getting any one to look after them. I accordingly
proposed to commence a register of women, whether
trained nurses or not, who were willing to nurse Infectious
cases. The Health Committee authorized me to do this, but
without incurring any expense for making the register known.
Perhaps owing to the existence of the register being unknown,
it has been very little used, but may, I hope, prove more
serviceable in future.
55. Dust Shoots.—As far as I saw—and was able to learn—
no house refuse was deposited last year on private shoots
within 300 yards of houses. All went to the parish shoot on
the levels. This, as I reported last year, was within the proscribed
distance of houses, hut, being carefully treated by
burning and covering with soil, produced no nuisance. Quite
recently land has been procured beyond the 300 yards limit,
and the dust is now being shot there.