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3. Strictest enquiries made as to water and milk supply, etc., etc. (see enclosed Schedule)
connections of w.c.'s, gullies, ventilating shafts, tested by smoke test (Aspbyxiator) as
to whether sewer gas could escape or not, and if any defect found, remedied as
far as practicable immediately.
4. Circulation throughout the district of printed precautions (copy thereof enclosed).
All the cases except one (No. 27 on the list) occurred in localities where the water carriage
system has been adopted, but in some of the cases I regret to say no flushing apparatus has up to
the present been fitted to the w.c.'s.
As to the method of Sewage Disposal adopted in the district, I beg to refer you to my Annual
Report for 1895 under that head.
With reference to case No. 27 the only one which is unconnected with the main system, the
w.c. is connected with the cesspool which is periodically pumped out. In my opinion the District
Council should as soon as practicable bring all this District including the Kennedy Estate into the
Drainage System of the Town. (The Council have already approached the Owners thereof on the
subject).
General Recommendations :
1. Flushing apparatus should be applied to every house which has a w.c.
2. As far as practicable the house drains of the old houses of the Town should be tested as
to the condition of their connection to the Main Sewer.
3. The old Sewer should be properly ventilated and flushed.
4. The drains in the old courts and alleys should be flushed and ventilated.
General Summary.—Total No. of cases 34, number of deaths 11, death rate per cent. 32.3.
Probable Causation.—(as far as ascertained up to present date).
(Note.—Some of the cases are inserted, under more than one heading.)
I have not discovered any facts which cast suspicion on water or milk supply.
I have not yet been able to connect the rainfall with the disease, except that coincidentally
with the large amount in September, the cases rapidly diminished in number.
Rainfall in July, 1*48 inches; August, 195 inches ; September, 5-65 inches.
The last case notified was on October 2nd, that was discharged from the Hospital on
November 18th, and the Town is therefore now entirely free from the disease.
Sanitary defects (including defective drains) 26
Eating shell fish 8
Bathing in polluted water 1
Doubtful 4
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
C. F. FENTON,
Medical Officer of Health.
P.S.—Two more cases occurred in December, both of which were connected with defects in
the drain of the Court in which they resided.