View report page

2
Very gratifying are the indications of the state of public health afforded by
the accounts of this Parish with the Fever Hospital. During the Spring quarter,
ending Lady-day, the account amounted to £142. 14s. for 161 patients;
for the quarter ending Midsummer, it was £90. 5s. for 95 patients; whilst during
the last quarter ending Michaelmas, it was only £27. 4s. for 35 patients; a
saving on the quarter of £115. 10s. as compared with the Winter quarter.
This is not due to any change in the practice of sending persons to this Hospital,
or of making out the accounts, but from an actual diminution to that extent in
the number of paupers affected with fever. I learn from Dr. Buchanan, the
resident Medical Officer of that Hospital, that the diminution is more striking in
this Parish than in any other district.
During the last fortnight pulmonary and bronchial affections have much
increased, especially amongst infants, who are always the most sensitive to
changes of temperature. Bronchitis and pneumonia have been fatal during the
five weeks to 45 infants under three years of age, and to 15 older persons;
croup has been fatal to 7 children. Tubercular disease has destroyed 62 person*.
WORKHOUSE.
Here there have been 21 deaths in all; 4 from consumption, 1 from
" Fever," but stated subsequently by the Surgeon not to have been typhus or
typhoid; 1 death from suicide by hanging. The general health of the establishment
is good; considerable benefit is felt by the additional space obtained
since the former boys' school has been used as an infirmary. The average
number of inmates during the month has been 1,401.
Every successive month from the present time until about March we may
expect to find an increase in the number of inmates; and, to avoid overcrowding,
I would suggest that the maximum number of inmates to be allowed in each
Ward be at oncc affixed in some conspicuous place, with a resolution that on no
account shall that number be exceeded. If it should be found that the "Wards
will not contain all the inmates during the most severe season, it would be far
better economy (to say nothing of higher considerations) to make some temporary
provision than to run any risk of fever or other disease from overcrowding.
The proposed improvements in ventilation in the body of the house have
not been so far carried out as could be wished, in consequence, I presume, of the
numerous other improvements which have been effected. Constant ventilation
is of more importance in "Winter than in Summer, because occasional free ventilation,
such as may be practised by the opening of windows and doors, is almost
totally inadmissible at this season.