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18
PHTHISIS AND TUBERCULOSIS.
It is not necessary to add much to what has been said
before about the prevention of this disease. Spitting
should be prohibited in public places, and disinfection of
houses carried out after removal or death, but the great
safeguard is to make the body resistant to the germ by
physical training—by an open-air life—by rational food,
and above all, by strict temperance.
EPIDEMIC ENTERITIS OR SUMMER DIARRHŒA.
Owing to the variable weather there has been a low
death-rate from this disease. Nine deaths were registered
during the six summer months as against an average of
26.5 and a maximum of 59. When rain falls heavily at
frequent intervals during summer weather, it has been
observed that this disease is little prevalent. I have shown
in previous reports that this disease is most prevalent in a
certain class of property, and there is no doubt that the soil
around the backs of houses becomes impregnated with tilth,
which is washed away by the heavy rains. Paved backyards
are easily cleansed by flushing, and the frequent
watering of roads is required, even where the traffic is not
great, together with more frequent scavenging. A hard
impermeable surface is needed, but prejudice seems against
this improvement. The advent of mechanical propulsion
of vehicles will doubtless help public health in this way.
DAIRIES AND COWSHEDS.
The cowsheds have been inspected quarterly. The
number of cows has been reduced to 52. Two cow-keepers
have ceased to milk their own cows and are now distributing
railway milk. This is very unsatisfactory, as the place
of origin is unknown, and as it is frequently mixed by the
wholesale purveyors, the milk from one farm might possibly
infect a large milk supply. At Harrow, last year,
an epidemic was traced to milk brought from Cherbourg.
Protection of milk supplies is urgently needed and would