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Schools Closed.
There has not been any notifiable Disease of an epidemic nature during the year, but in the month of
February I gave a certificate to close the " All Saints " Infants' Schools, Belvedere, for three weeks
owing to an outbreak of Measles.
SANATORIUM —Methods of dealing with Infectious Disease.
Cases such as Scarlet Fever, Enteric, and Diphtheria, are removed to the Erith Sanatorium, Little
Heath, where there are 27 beds. These are seldom all occupied. A special Medical man is appointed
by the Council for this Institution, over which I have no control. All Small-pox cases have hitherto
been removed to Asylums Board Hospitals, Dartford.
Disinfection.
The methods of disinfection have been reported from year to year. The system is, Bedding and
Weaving Apparel by Hot Air Apparatus, which has proved quite satisfactory.
Drainage.
The system of Drainage is by Sewers. The majority of the houses on the higher land are connected
to the new system. Referring to my report of last year respecting the number of houses in the old part
of the town of Erith draining into the old Sewers and discharging directly into the Thames without any
treatment, many of these houses have recently been connected to the Council's New Sewerage System,
but much work still remains to be done in this direction. As to the low-lying marsh land, several
houses have been erected during the past year and are all drained into Cesspits, the contents of which
are deposited upon pasture-land, which, in my opinion, is far from satisfactory, and I do not think any
more houses should be erected on this land until a proper system of Sewerage is carried out. I understand
that the Council have one in contemplation.
Water Supply.
The Water Supply of the district is obtained from the Kent Water Company, which is general
throughout the district and is very satisfactory.
House Refuse Removal.
House refuse is removed throughout the district twice a week by the Council. The refuse is placed
in pails, etc., in front or forecourt of the houses by the occupants, 5,534. loads were removed during the
year. Most of this matter is disposed of and utilised by Brick-m&kers, Farmers, etc. This system works
very satisfactorily.
Cowsheds and Milkshops.
There are 9 Cowsheds, about 100 cows, and 19 Dairymen and Purveyors of Milk in the district. The
Cowsheds and Milk Stores have been regularly inspected and found clean. A very large proportion of
the milk consumed in the district is imported.
Slaughter Houses.
There are only four Registered Slaughter-houses in the district, which have been regularly J inspected
and found clean.