View report page

5
Periodic Inspection
The public wells were all examined, both as to quantity
and quality of supply, and notwithstanding the great
drought, the water was found good in both respects. In
consequence of the amount of work requiring to be done in
connection with the great number of cases of infectious
disease notified, further systematic inspection of the district
was again neglected. My attention was called to the
necessity of this inspection by a letter from the Local
Government Board at the end of October, too late for much
to be done this year.
Number of
houses unfit
for habitation
The number of houses found unfit for habitation was 32,
of which 12 were closed, and 20 repaired and made fit
for habitation.
Sanitary improve
ments effected,
or about to be
effected
The scheme for draining the district round Tilbury
Docks (being parts of Chadwell-St.-Mary and Little Thurrock)
reported last year, has been put in hand, and a main
sewer has been laid from Tilbury station to the confines of
the district, and there joined on to the system of tanks in
connection with the Grays drainage works.
The enlargement of Isolation Hospital has been
proceeded with in accordance with plans sanctioned last year,
and is in a forward state, but not yet quite ready for reception
of patients. Two double tents, each to hold Eight beds,
have been purchased and were erected at the Hospital, and
one used for the reception of convalescent Small-pox patients,
and the other for a case of Scarlet fever. A new ambulance
has been purchased.
A resolution to ask for "Urban powers" for the
remainder of the district was carried, but owing to some
informality has not yet been promulgated.
Action taken to
prevent spread
of Infectious
Disease
Removal of cases of Small-pox to the Infectious
Hospital and one case of Scarlet fever. All other cases
were isolated (as well as they could be), and disinfected and
treated at home. Calling attention to the necessity for the
vaccination and re-vaccination of all persons who had been
in contact with cases of Small-pox.
Causes and Distributionof
Disease
The most unhealthy part of the district is round Tilbury
Docks, here the soil is peaty and water-logged, cesspits
continually overflowing, back yards frequently under water,
houses damp—-these conditions sufficiently account for the
heavy death-rate, especially of the Zymotic or preventable
class. When the cottages are all connected with the sewer
I hope to see a great improvement in the death-rate. Of
the 26 cases of Small-pox notified, 23 were in West
Thurrock—probably accounted for by this district being on
the direct line of communication between the Docks at
Tilbury and London, and also by the change of persons
working at the factories here, ohiefiy the paper works. Some