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year 22 out of 166 deaths, or about one out of every eight were due to the different
varieties of the disease. The importance of disinfection both of expectoration
during the course of the disease, and of the rooms inhabited by consumptive persons
cannot be over estimated. The Sanitary Authority are fully conscious of this and
willing to assist those having charge of these patients by disinfecting all rooms
vacated by consumptives and gratuitously providing disinfectants for use during
the progress of the case. The disinfection of seven houses after consumption has
been undertaken during the year, as compared with five during the preceding year.
Mr. Vincent, M.R.C.V.S., veterinary surgeon, is appointed by the Council to
make periodical inspections of the cows kept by the registered cowkeepers, so as to
prevent, if possible, any milk likely to infect the consumers thereof with tubercular
disease, from being used, and in each report made quarterly during the year, the
cows, averaging in number about 130, have been certified by him to be in a healthy
condition.
The rooms of two persons dying of Cancer have been disinfected on the request
of the occupiers.
IV.—Summary of other Sanitary Proceedings, &c., which were
taken during the year.
Housing of the Working Classes.—I have found it necessary during the year
to certify five houses as unfit for habitation. Two of these were very old and
dilapidated, and have been permanently closed by the consent of the owner, two
were improved by structural alterations so as to comply with the requirements of the
law, and one is still under consideration.
Five cases of overcrowding have been found to exist and the nuisance caused
to be abated.
The regular systematic house to house inspection has been vigorously maintained,
and disclosed the usual large number of defects, some inevitable from
natural wear and tear, and others the result of carelessness or want of cleanliness,
which were duly caused to be remedied.
Although most of the houses recently erected in Sutton are of fairly sound
construction, there are some erected but few years ago that call for considerably more
attention as regards sanitary defects than ought to be expected in so short a period.
Anything to improve the homes of the working classes is of benefit to the town,
and probably the revised bye-laws for New Streets and Buildings shortly to be
adopted by the Council will enable them to exercise still more restraining influence
on any who might be inclined to build houses likely to become inimical to the health
of their occupants in a very few years.
Removal of House Refuse.—This is undertaken by the Council, and is at
present conveyed to a shoot off Balaam Lane. I am informed by the Sanitary
Inspector that 5,942 loads of the refuse were removed during the year, as compared
with 5,585 the previous year.
As to the " supervision which was exercised over places and houses that the
Sanitary Authority has power to regulate."
Slaughterhouses.—These were frequently visited by your Inspector and myself
during the year, and were generally found in a good condition, though the
construction of some of the older ones gives plenty of room for improvement.