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clay without concrete, jointed with clay, and at the junction of one drain with
the other was a broken pipe, allowing sewage matter to escape and to pollute
ground and air. This air, probably infected with the specific germs from a case
of typhoid in the adjoining house, was drawn by the kitchen fire through
the soil into the room, as there was no impermeable material over the ground
site of house to prevent escape of gases into the house, and the person who
spent some of her time daily in the kitchen was infected. The rain water was
connected with the sewer direct.
These cases illustrate exactly the condition of things most likely to produce
typhoid fever, as mentioned by Mr Parry Laws and Dr. Andrew in a report made
by them to the London County Council on sewer gas and typhoid fever. They
also illustrate the importance of an impervious covering over the ground site of
a house, so as not to allow escape of ground air into the house; the jointing of
pipes with cement and not clay; the laying pipes on concrete; and where
passing under houses, surrounding same with concrete; the importance of disconnecting
traps or inspection chambers on house drains to prevent pollution of
air of houses with sewer gas; and the necessity of rain-pipes falling upon
trapped gullies.
After investigating these cases, I suggested to your Authority the need of
making a complete examination of all house drains connected with the old
system of sewers throughout the district, as if the above is an example of the
way in which drains were laid some 13 years ago, the sooner they are discovered
and re-laid the better. Your district cannot be considered to be in a good
sanitary state until such examination is made and defects put right.
Typhoid fever caused one death—a female, who died in a Hospital in
London.
Influenza.
Influenza appeared in the district at the beginning of the year. The
epidemic was of a mil l type. One death was registered from this illness.
Puerperal Fever.
One notification relating to this illness was received. The cause of the
illness was inquired into, but not ascertained.
Measures adopted for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases.
Your Authority has an arrangement with the Enfield Local Authority and
the Finchley Local Authority to receive into their Infectious Fever Hospitals
cases of scarlet fever that cannot be isolated at home.
A similar understanding exists with the Highgate Small-pox Hospital. As
the population increases, it will be a matter for your Authority's consideration
as to whether it is not better to have a building in your own district for the
isolation of infectious diseases. Twelve cases were removed—eight (scarlet
fever) to Enfield ; and four (typhoid) to the Royal Free Hospital.
Removal of Infectious Cases.
An ambulance is obtained from the Barnet Union to remove all cases of
infectious illness. The delay in fetching this vehicle from Barnet (a distance of
six miles) has been a matter which I have brought to your notice during the
year. In order to prevent spread of infectious illness, it is important that delay
in removal of infectious persons should not take place.
Your Authority should take into consideration the advisability of procuring
some form of ambulance.