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50
Water Supply, Disinfection, Drainage, &c.
Details will also be found in Table 2 relating to unsound
food and water supply. With regard to the latter, it may be
noted that a very large proportion of the houses in the district
are aupplied from the public water service on the constant system.
A few, in the more remote parts, still obtain their water from
wells. Considerable attention is paid to the condition of cisterns,
and it would be an advantage if new houses were so constructed
that the cistern could be more easily got at for cleaning than is
generally the case. The provision of a draw tap on the main is
always urged, and during the year 18 houses were so fitted that
did not already possess one. The advantage of a draw.tap is that
water may be obtained direct from the main without the danger
of its possible pollution by storage in a dirty cistern.
Table 3 deals with drainage, dust, disinfection and various
nuisances abated. 174 new ash.bins were provided and 27 ashpits
were abolished.
The paving of yards is a frequent source of difficulty, and
the carrying out of the bye.law relating to it, as well as the
necessity or otherwise of insisting on proper paving being provided,
are amongst the very few matters about which the members of
the Health Committee and the Sanitary Officials have not always
been in agreement.
In connection with disinfection, it will be seen that 125 rooms
were disinfected on account of ordinary infectious disease, and six
on account of consumption. The necessity of disinfecting a room
that has been occupied by a consumptive person is not fully
realised yet, but it should be done in all cases. The notification
by Poor.law Medical Officers of the removal into Infirmaries of
persons suffering from the disease, now in force, will give an
opportunity of disinfecting the rooms previously occupied by them.
In addition to the facts relating to drainage and sewerage
included in Table 3, a separate table has been prepared giving
further details of the work done in connection with the testing
of drains.