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14
Relation between the Source of Water Supply and Outbreaks.
Of 10 establishments supplied from superfl. wells on premises 9 attacked or 90 pr. cnt.
„ 55 „ „ New River Company 37 „ 64.9 „
This influence of water, probably more or less contaminated, was most marked
in establishments of medium size, little marked in the smallest establishments
where the chances of any one cow suffering from this cause were less; and not
obvious at all in the largest establishments where some other causes, such as
liability to infection, predominate.*
E. Relation between the mode of Storing the Dung and Outbreaks.
Of 11 establishments storing dung of ithin the shed itself 10 were attacked or 90.9 pr. cnt.
„ 56 „ not thus storing it 37 „ 66.0 „
The influence of the emanations from fermenting dung stored within the sheds
is here obvious. Arranging the establishments * in the order of their size, it is
found that this influence is only distinctly perceived in the smallest establishments
The reason appears to be that in these the dung is retained longer and undergoes
more fermentation, since it is not worth the while of a contractor to remove it until a
sufficient load has collected. In my monthly report No. CIV. I have pointed out a
similar relation in respect of typhoid fever in man. The general capaciousness of
the shed, or the reverse, appear to have exercised no remarkable influence over the
general result of this infringement of a sanitary law,* and the influence of crowding
of the cows seems to have predominated over the influence of dung emanations where
the crowding was excessive.* In 1857 I traced a similar relation between the storing
of dung in sheds and the occurrence of lung disease.† The smallest establishments,
from the less liability to any introduction of contagion, exhibit more distinctly than
larger establishments the baneful predisposing influence of crowding, and the
emanations from retained and fermenting dung stored within the sheds. The
influence of a supply of water derived from superficial wells is most obvious in
establishments of medium size.
In the largest establishments the influence of all these predisposing causes
seems to have been over ridden by some more important and immediate cause, such
as would be the very much greater liability to the introduction of the specific
poison from without.
Proceedings of the Vestry in relation to the Plague.
Having become acquainted with the existence and leading characteristics of the
plague, on and after July 27th, I reported what I had ascertained to the Sanitary
Committee on July 31st, and recommended the appointment of Special Inspectors
to visit the sheds and slaughter-houses regularly; and I sent to all the cowkeepers
in the parish a circular letter, containing sanitary advice. By the direction of the
* Tables showing these points are published in the appendix to my evidence in the Commissioners
report. I reproduce here only the most important tables.
† The statistics are given in my evidence, p. 27.