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16
worked very satisfactorily and fully met every requirement.
The Local Committee having invited the assistance
and co-operation of all the qualified Medical Practitioners
in the Sub-district appointed five of their number as
"Medical Visitors." These undertook the treatment of
all persons suffering from the epidemic who might apply
to them at any time by night or by day, and were authorized
to order nurses, clothing, nourishment, stimulants,
disinfectants, or anything requisite for such treatment.
The Inspectors of Nuisances made house to house visitation,
effected the removal of any existing nuisance, and
directed the attention of the Medical Visitors to any
cases of the disease they met with. They also furnished
me with samples of any waters which appeared to them
objectionable, and in this way I ascertained that a large
quantity of unwholesome well water was still extensively
used. They supplied disinfectants from a depôt in the
centre of the town to all applicants needing them. Placards
containing the names and addresses of the Medical
Visitors and of the Inspectors of Nuisances, were extensively
posted, informing the public of the arrangements
made, and how assistance was to be obtained.
On the occurrence of a death from the epidemic, the
corpse was placed in a coffin and surrounded with sawdust,
and disinfectants, and removed to the Engine-house
on the Plain (temporarily converted into a dead-house),
from which interment was effected as speedily as possible.
Linen and blankets were immediately placed in disinfecting
fluids, and the bed and bedding, if soiled, burnt.
(In such last named cases, compensation was made to the
owner according to a pre-determined value.) The rooms
were then purified by lime-whiting and disinfectants.
The relatives of the dead readily acquiesced in or forwarded
these arrangements, with but one exception, in which case
it became necessary to apply to the sitting magistrate for
a forthwith order for interment.
Application was made to the Vicar for permission to build
a dead house in the burial ground in South Street, but unfortunately
met with a refusal. In reference to this subject,