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59. Alcohol. Eleven deaths were certified as either from
alcoholism, or cirrhosis of the liver, a disease which is the
direct result of alcoholism. But one may say certainly that
alcoholism was to a great extent responsible for a large part of
the deaths attributed to phthisis, bronchitis, pneumonia, heart
disease, and other diseases.
Alcoholism does not simply mean drunkenness, but also
habitual indulgence in alcoholic drinks beyond the physiological
quantity.
60. Rheumatism.—There were two deaths from acute
rheumatism (rheumatic fever), compared with 4 and 1 in the
two preceding years. Twenty-three cases of acuto and subacute
rheumatism were nursed by the District Nursing Association
compared with 15 and 17 in the two preceding years.
Three cases were in Station Road and two in Reidhaven Road.
B. Administration.
61. Water Supply.—The water supply continues to maintain
its high quality.
My attention was called to a house in Barnfield Road
without a proper and sufficient supply of water.
This was situated in a back yard with which the house had
no direct communication.
I recommended that the house should be re-united with the
adjoining one of which it originally formed part, and which had
a water supply, and the whole let to one family for which it
was by no means too large. This was done, and a water
supply was thus put on the premises.
62. Sewer Insufficiencies. — Complaints were received of flooding
in Benares Road during some rather heavy rainfalls in the
Summer. This occurred repeatedly. The question arose
b 2