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149
and an effort is being made to impress upon the public that
though in an advanced stage the disease may be hopeless, yet
early treatment is distinctly hopeful and encouraging. Phthisis
is a disease of adult life. The victim often beirg the head of
the family, the misery and suffering involved is intensified by
the bread-winner being laid aside, and I would ask the Board to
assist the movement by providing facilities for bacteriological
examinations in a similar way to what we already do in the
case of diphtheria and typhoid fever. The treatment of phthisis
as an infectious disease involving isolation and disinfection is
perhaps at present inadvisable. Public opinion must be interested
in the subject before such steps can be successful, but
nothing but good can result from a knowledge of the danger
incurred and preventive measures which may be taken. We
might well arrange for the disinfection of clothing and houses in
cases of phthisis where such is desired by parishioners. An
impetus will be given by the movement to increased attention
being paid to air space and the overcrowding of dwellings.
The deaths of infants, under one year, occurring in the
parish were 357 against 342 for the previous year.
One-hundred-and-fifty inquests were held in the year and
during the previous year there were 151.
Cowhouses.— The number of cowhouses and slaughterhouses
in the district, now extremely few, were duly inspected
on two occasions and found in a generally satisfactory condition.
Bakehouses.- The bakehouses were inspected at intervals
during the year, an effort being made to establish a higher
standard of cleanliness. It was necessary to take legal proceedings,
and a conviction was obtained in six cases—two in each
Inspector's district. For the future this higher standard will
be insisted upon.
Disinfecting Apparatus.— Disinfection by steam has
been steadily continued during the year. The steam disinfector
of Goddard, Massey & Warner, has given general satisfaction.