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Influenza.—This is the fourth epidemic of this remarkable disease that I have to
notice. It appeared in the middle of November and lasted about a month, but it was
of a much milder type than the previous epidemic and not nearly so many people
were attacked. 4 deaths were directly attributed to it.
Bakehouses and Slaughterhouses—These have been frequently visited and
inspected and found clean and in good order.
Lodging Houses —The 9 lodging houses have been frequently inspected day and
night. On May 31st I made a night inspection and with the exception of one house
which was overcrowded and the atmosphere of the rooms and passages very foul,
everything was clean and in good order. As I did not consider this house fit to be
used for the purposes of a common lodging house I recommended that it be closed and
this has been done.
Other Sanitary Work.— The line that I marked out some years ago for the
sanitary improvement of the town has been closely followed this year. My efforts are
mainly directed to reducing the heavy and increasing infant mortality and I am glad
to report that there is a slight improvement this year. Many houses have been condemned
as unfit for habitation and have either been remodelled or permanently closed.
Overcrowding wherever met with has been promptly checked. Frequent visits have
been paid to houses with the result that drinking water cisterns are now rarely found
connected to water closets. Dustbins are regularly emptied. Manure is not allowed
to accumulate, and domestic animals are not kept in wash houses and other unsuitable
premises. A large proportion of the women of Brentford are engaged in market
gardens, laundries and other occupations which take them from home all day and I
consider this one of the principal causes of the excessive number of deaths in infants.
Young children are left for hours together to the care of others very little older than
themselves and are consequently generally neglected.
Isolation Hospital.—The good work that this institution was expected to do has
been this year more than verified Throughout the whole year patients suffering
from Scarlet Fever have been admitted and since the beginning of August the
resources of the Hospital have been strained to the utmost. Nurse Ward's devotion
to duty has been remarkable and I can only speak of her in terms of the highest praise
both as a nurse and as an administrator. She has also given general satisfaction
to those parents who have had children in the institution.