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17
case, and in the map I marked out, the surroundings of the Works stood
out as being markedly exempt from such cases.
I have drawn the attention of the Members of the two School Boards
in the District to the effect that School influence may have upon Infectious
Disease and I suggested one or two ways by which the spread of such
disease might be prevented. These recommendations were forwarded to the
Head Masters of the different Schools, and I hope that they will prove of
some practical value, but there is no doubt that what is really wanted, is a
strict medical supervision of the scholars attending these Schools.
This method would of course entail an additional expenditure but I
have every reason to believe that the results would be far reaching, and that
the adoption of this measure would confer a benefit, not only to the Schools
but to the community at large.
Before leaving the subject of infectious diseases, I would draw your
attention to section 15 of the Infectious Disease Prevention Act, 1890, which
is as follows: "The local Authority shall from time to time provide, free of
charge, temporary shelter or house accommodation, with any neeessary
attendants for the members of any family in which any infectious disease
has appeared, who have been compelled to leave their dwellings for the purpose
of enabling such dwellings to be disinfected by the Local Authority."
At present no such temporary house accommodation is provided. I
hope that you will shortly consider this question and remedy the defect, as
now I am often unable to have a house disinfected as thoroughly as I
should like and the occupants of some of the smaller houses are at times
subjected to very great discomfort.
Dairies and Cowsheds.
In the month of July I was instructed by the Sanitary Committee to
visit and report upon the various Cowsheds and Daries in the
District. I presented my first report 011 July 18th, and my final
report on the subject at the first meeting after the recess on
October 3rd. In the course of my inspections I found that the greater
number of the sheds were in an extremely unsatisfactory state, and in only
one instance did I find that attention was paid to all the Regulations made
by you under the Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops Order of
1885—1886. In one shed I examined I found that 7 cows and a calf
were kept in a space which, according to the Regulations, was only sufficient
for 3 cows ; the lighting was quite inadequate, there being only one small
window which was placed immediately over an uncovered dung pit; the