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5715f3dc-6128-4b75-bd19-dc8d6a1c4d74 | . A.R.332. BS X 1/18 ACT 1 ACTION LOCAL BOARD. REPORT OF THE Medical Officer, For the year 1893. Printed at the ACTON VALE PRINTING PRESS, Acton Vale, W. ACT 1 ACTON LOCAL BOARD. REPORT OF THE Medical Officer, For the year 1893. Printed at the ACTON VALE PRINTING PRESS, Acton Vale, W. Acton Local Board. Report of the Medical Officer of Health, For the year 1893. To the Chairman and Members of the Acton Local Board. Gentlemen, I beg to present to you my report on the health of Acton for the year 1893. This is my first year of office, and I am therefore dependant very largely on the reports of my predecessors for obtaining a comparative idea of the progress of Acton in matters of Sanitary Science. |
7a625f56-27f7-46b9-b279-c998835548df | On referring to the papers that have been handed over to me, I find that the earliest statistics are those of 1884, 1885 & 1886, and the earliest report is that of 1885, which has been printed. They are as follows:β 1885 is printed. 1886 1887 is written, but incomplete. 1888 is printed. 1889 is written. 1890 is written and one copy type-written. 1891 is printed. 1892 is written. 4 Several copies of 1892 have been lithographed, but all of these have been given away to various authorities. They are all of various sizes. I mention this because I wish to point out how important it is that all annual reports of the Medical Officer should be printed. |
d4286bcb-c072-4ac2-b47c-4e64e4f02a99 | I think it is very desirable also that all these reports should be printed on the same sized paper, and I think the time is not far distant when the Local Government Board will desire that all districts should have their reports printed on paper of the same size and shape. The year has been remarkable for a great drought more or less all over Europe. Coincidentally with this there has been in London a prevalence of certain zymotic diseases, such for instance, as Scarlet Fever and DiarrhΕa. Small-pox has been prevalent in some parts of the country. Cholera visited some of the ports and a few cases occurred in inland towns. In connection with this, I believe the opinion is that it may break out again next year, in those places where it was most prevalent. The Influenza also visited the country during the autumn and winter months. |
d8a1fb27-4e6c-4d08-b727-a18117c6857c | In accordance with the plan of my predecessor, I have divided the district into six sub-districts, corresponding with the Ecclesiastical divisions of the district. As, however, they have never been exactly defined, I have thought it best to describe the boundaries as near as I can, 5 S. Mary's, or Acton proper. This is bounded on the south by the houses on the north side of the Avenue Road, and a straight line continuing from the Avenue Road at the corner of Nevill's Bakery to the North London Railway, following the course of the Stamford Brook. On the east by a line drawn along the North London Ry. from where it crosses the Stamford Brook, to Shakespeare Road, thence along Shakespeare Road to Myrtle Road, thence it courses northwards along Myrtle Road as far as Acacia Road, and along Acacia Road to Horn Lane, then following along Horn Lane as far as the northern Boundary of the Parish. |
5c92c585-8b82-431c-a37f-58d0e68833f5 | On the west it is bounded by the boundary line separating Acton from Ealing. At the present time, the houses do not extend in the northernly direction much beyond the Great Western Railway. All Saints' Parish, or South Acton. Is bounded on the north by the houses on the south side of Avenue Road. On the south by a line drawn horizontally through Steele and Berrymede Roads to Bollo Lane and the western extremity of Marlborough Road, respectively. On the east by the North & South Western Junction Ry. On the west by Bollo Lane. S. Dunstan's, or East Acton. Is bounded on the east by the eastern boundary of the Parish, which separates it from the Parish of Hammersmith; this is a line drawn down Old Oak Lane and continued straight on 6 till it cuts Uxbridge Road, and from thence to the Junction of the North & South Western Junction Railway with Woodstock Road. |
4ba420c9-3bcb-495e-99e4-90fb913d00a7 | The western boundary corresponds with the eastern boundary of S. Mary's Parishβalready described. The southern boundary corresponds with the curve of the North & South Western Junction Railway, dividing All Saints from this Parish. S. Albans', or Acton Green. Is bounded on the north by the southern boundary of All Saints' Parish, already described. On the south by a line drawn from South Parade, Bedford Park, to Cleveland Villas, High Road, Chiswick. On the east by a line running north and south through a point to the east of S. Alban's Church. S. Michael's, or Bedford Park. Comprises that part of it which is situated in Acton Parish and is bounded on the north by Southfield Road; on the south by the South Parade; on the east by a line running down the centre of the Woodstock Road; and on the west by the eastern boundary of S. Alban's Parish. All Souls, or Harlesden. |
4a004a30-be38-49b4-a084-875e6fc69460 | Comprises that portion of it which is situated in Acton Parish and at present consists of a number of cottages belonging to the London & North Western Railway Company. It is situated at the extreme northern portion of the Parish. 7 VITAL STATISTICS. Population. I estimate the population at the middle of 1893 to be about 26,000. The following table shows the number of population and inhabited houses at the four preceding censuser. Year. Inhabited houses. Population. 1861 610 3,151 1871 1,568 8,306 1881 2,844 17,110 1891 4,084 24,207 The number of deaths registered throughout the district was 451, in addition to this there were 35 deaths of residents belonging to the district who died in public institutions outside the district, making altogether 486. |
381d62e1-900c-4493-8286-2a0eb3e5e7a6 | The population being reckoned at 26,000 in the middle of the year, the death rate calculated on this basis would be 18.6 per thousand, as against 17 per thousand last year. I see that the average death rate for London during the year has been 20.9. If we consider what a large population of poor people we have residing in one district of the Parish, and the number of poor children that died during the summer of diarrhΕa and sickness, I think, that we need hardly consider this a high rate. If we did not include the 35 deaths which occurred in public institutions, the death rate would be 16 per thousand. A great many districts do not include these deaths although they no doubt ought to, and probably will be found to do so much more than they do at present. The 486 deaths comprised 228 males and 258 females, inclusive of 21 males and 14 females, who applied in public institutions. |
8c180a00-5612-4eec-9c72-574bc3b1ac49 | There have been 18 inquests, 8 The total number of births registered was 831, viz., 422 males and 409 females. Of these 29 were illegitimate children. The total number of births last year was 763. These figures give a birth rate of 31.9 per thousand persons living as against 30.5 per thousand last year. The annual birth rate for London last year was 30.9 per thousand persons living. The number of deaths of children under 1 year of age was 160, being at the rate of 192.5 to one thousand births. Our infant mortality is therefore very high. It is explainable only by the large number of children who died during the summer from diarrhΕa and dysentery. The following table shows the various ages at which death occurred in the district:β Under one year 160 under 5 years. |
d7c40703-44e1-4026-b6d3-08e7adcb88f3 | 222 Over one year and under five years 62 ,, five β β fifteen β 17 over 5 years. 264 β fifteen β twenty five 15 β twenty five β sixty five 132 β sixty five and upwards 100 486 486 The following table compares the death rate of children under one year per thousand registered births, and the birth rate for the last seven years. Birth Rate Per Thousand. Deaths of Children under 1 year Per Thousand Registered Births. 1887 28.7 147 1888 31.1 182 1889 34.1 175 1890 28.3 151 1891 30.8 146 1892 30.5 185 1893 31.9 192.5 9 We thus see that the number of deaths of infants increases almost every year. (Last year it was represented as being 152, this was I think a mistake.) |
ac5292f6-3d6d-418f-9988-6b6a47152dd4 | I see that almost every year it has been remarked by your medical officers how great this death rate is, and various proposals have been made to try and lessen it. I am of the opinion that this is greatly due to the parents using feeding bottles with india rubber tubes. These tubes are very difficult to clean and a little sour milk remains in them. This forms a nidus for germs to grow in, and so pass into the child's stomach where they set up fermentation within. The old fashioned boat shaped bottles are much eaiest to clean, and for this reason are to be recommended much more. The only trouble being that the mother must hold the bottle while the child is fed. ZYMOTIC DEATH-RATE. The total number of deaths registered for the principal zymotic diseases was 89, as compared with 91 last year. This gives a zymotic death rate of 3.4 per thousand, as against 3.6 per thousand last year. |
5600a9b8-5f28-4d16-91dc-5e4153ccdc1c | The following table compares the total deaths and the zymotic deaths as they occurred in the principal districts:β Acton. S.Acton. E.Acton. Acton Green. Willesden Bedford P'k. Total Deaths. 171 131 42 85 9 13 Deaths from zymotic disease. 22 32 11 19 4 1 In the following table the death rate and the zymotic death rate are so arranged that a comparison can be made for the last six years. By it, also will be seen that although the death rate is higher than that of last year by 1.6 per thousand, the zymotic death rate is a trifle lower, and that wheareas measles, whooping 10 cough and diarrhΕa were the most prominent features of the zymotic deaths in 1892; Scarlet Fever and diarrhΕa were those of 1893. |
77b12466-9a5f-4ea9-bcfa-c04e980db512 | Considering that nearly twice as many cases of infectious diseases were notified this year as last year, we may conclude that the diseases although more numerous were not so severe in character. 1888. 1889. 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893. |
f02d0596-b073-4185-8568-198c70aabb35 | Small Pox β β β β β β Measles 1 25 11 9 24 2 Scarlet Fever 2 1 3 4 β 10 Diphtheria 2 8 7 2 4 2 Whooping cough 9 13 3 6 25 5 Typhoid Fever β 1 1 β 3 4 DiarrhΕa & Dysentery 10 12 18 24 34 60 Puerperal Fever β β β β 1 6 Total number of deaths from seven zymotic diseases 24 60 43 45 91 89 Deaths from other causes 282 377 298 368 334 396 Total deaths 306 437 341 413 425 486 Death rate from the 7 zymotic diseases per 1000 1.09 2.8 1.9 1.8 3.6 3. |
abaf3632-e3bf-466d-a303-f0900d08088b | 4 Death rate from other causes per 1000 12.9 16.1 12.0 15.3 13.4 15.2 General death rate per 1000 13.99 18.9 13.9 17.1 17.0 18.6 GENERAL REMARKS. No deaths have occurred from small-pox, and only two deaths from measles. This disease was not so prevalent this year. Two deaths occurred this year from diphtheria. One was a little boy at Willesden. The only cause I could discover for this case 11 was a dirty dustbin at the end of the yard. The children were accustomed to play near this, and I was told that it frequently smelt very badly. The second death from diphtheria occurred in Stanley Gardens. The man was a policeman. The drainage in this road has always been a scource of trouble. |
82153d0f-9351-4e35-a614-aa355606219a | This year a considerable number of these houses have been redrained. I believe there are still some of these houses that require seeing to and I would urge the Board to have them all inspected, and those houses that have not been already treated, seen to. As I have already mentioned, 60 deaths were caused by diarrhΕa. 59 of these occured in children' under five years of age. The hot and dry summer has no doubt a good deal to account for this high mortality, milk food becoming more easily sour. The bottles from which infants are fed being an additional cause. Four deaths occurred from Typhoid Fever, out of 19 cases reported. Two of these occurred at Willesden in different houses one at South Acton, and one in S. Mary's Parish. Six deaths were caused by Puerperal Fever, while only two cases were notified. Ten deaths occurred from Scarlet Fever out of 192 cases which were notified. NOTIFICATIONS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. |
e99d7709-0e79-46ef-914f-09241e7a6d21 | During this year, I caused a circular, a copy of which is appended, to be distributed to each house in which any infectious disease occurred. On one side of this circular the householde 12 is informed that an inmate of his house is suffering from an infectious disease, naming it, and stating the length of time he is likely to be ill, during which the patient is to be kept isolated. On the other side of the circular is a copy of the Public Health Act, 1875 Section 126, informing them of the penalty they occur if they expose the patient unnecessarily. I have hopes that this circular will prove of great service. The following corrected table shows how the number of cases of Infectious Diseases which have been reported during the last four years since the adoption of the Act by this district. 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893. |
4655dd71-973f-46e3-a978-d4b142bba794 | Small Pox β β 13 7 Scarlet Fever 108 63 74 192 Diphtheria 14 8 27 41 Membranous Croup 4 β. 13 1 Typhoid Fever 13 13 15 19 Continued Fever β β β 1 Puerperal Fever 1 β 1 2 Erysipelas 22 18 37 77 162 102 180 340 The population being estimated at 26,000, would give a rate of 13 persons per thousand who have had some infectious disease whereas last year it was reckoned to be 7.2 per thousand. SMALL-POX. Seven cases were reported. Two isolated cases in the spring of the year and five cases in the autumn. Of the first two cases one died in the Highgate Hospital. |
a81e6720-1e2f-4150-b7e3-a9c06cf17dd3 | Of the remaining five cases four occurred in connection with a man who carried on a business of disinfecting; and a special report was made to your board on 13 the subject. In it, I reported that he had recently been disinfecting the clothing of small-pox patients living in a neighbouring parish. I am strongly of the opinion that, if possible, the Sanitary Authorities should endeavour to prevent other districts sending their infectious clothes into this parish to be disinfected, and that all clothing ought to disinfected in the parish in which the disease is contracted, before being sent away. Five out of the seven cases were removed to Highgate Hospital. SCARLET FEVER. Scarlet Fever was very prevalent in this parish and was with us, more or less throughout the year. In this, we were no exception, in that scarlet fever was very much about all over the metropolitan area. This disease was principally confined to Acton proper, although South Acton and Acton Green had their share of it. |
f6880e69-761b-4e21-8598-8ad634b3e8b8 | The following table shows how the infectious diseases were distributed over the different parts of the parish:β Acton. S. Acton. E. Acton. Acton Green. Bedford P'k. Willesden Small-pox. 5 1 β 1 β β Scarlet Fever. 88 44 6 34 9 11 Diptheria 19 13 3 4 β 2 Croup β 1 β β β β Typhoid Fever 3 1 1 2 1 12 Continued β β -β β 1 β β Puerperal β β 1 1 β β β Erysipelas 39 22 6 9 β 1 Totals 155 82 17 51 10 25 Number of cases:β Small pox 7. Scarlet Fever 192. Diptheria 41. Croup 1. Typhoid Fever 19. |
d41eb5ae-e111-41ce-ade6-df3bb2625b6d | Continued Fever 1. puerperal Fever 2. Erysipelas 77. Total 340 cases. 14 To continue. We see that 192 cases of Scarlet Fever occurred in the parish, nearly half of which occurred in one division of the parish. The majority of the cases were mild, and it is questionable in my mind whether some of the cases were not a form of influenza with a rash. DIPHTHERIA. 41 cases of diphtheria were reported. These were mostly very mild. It is the general opinion that this disease is on the increase. In its mild form it is very difficult sometimes to distinguish it from an ordinary sore throat. This being the case, these cases are very liable to be spread by children in schools. I do not think, therefore, that we ought to discourage mild cases of this disease being notified. TYPHOID FEVER. |
5bc1bb09-e6ad-4cb2-91c8-df969296e26b | 19 cases altogether were reported; 12 of these occurred in Willesden, and 7 out of the 12 occurred in one house in Railway Cottages. One case occurred in the adjoining house and one in the next house but one. These nine cases occurred therefore in one block of houses. These houses had a distinct and separate drain, which I had reason to suspect to be the cause of the disease and in as far as no more cases occurred after this drainage was altered I am confirmed in my opinion. One case of Typhoid Fever in Burlington Gardens was imported from Worthing. PUERPERAL FEVER, Only two cases of Puerperal Fever were reported, although six deaths were attributed to symptoms of Puerperal Fever. We may therefore conclude that at least four cases were not reported and probably a good many more cases occurred which recovered, 15 ERYSIPELAS. Was very prevalent in the autumn at the time that a keen wind was blowing. |
5af661b2-51f9-4c12-9543-70ed2a96ab71 | Some of these cases were rather severe. I am of opinion that not much good is done by notifying these cases unless it be in houses in which lying-in women are expecting to be confined. CHOLERA. No real case occurred in Acton, although one of the inhabitants is said to have died from this disease while staying at Cleethorpes. INFLUENZA. The Influenza was prevalent this year again and several deaths were caused by it, and a good many more accelerated by it. GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE DISTRICT. Acton town is situated in the Thames Valley on the northern side. The soil is a light red clay, on the surface of which in many parts a good depth of gravel soil is to be found. It is one of the few districts round London possessing gravel. The only stream passing through the district is a small portion of the old Willesden Canal. It obtains its water supply from the Grand Junction Water-Works Company. |
b68dd0bb-a25c-48b3-8ce3-ae599a0eea9b | It is supplied on the continuous supply system. 16 Some cottages belonging to the London & North Western Railway Company and situated at Willesden are supplied by the Railway Company with water pumped from a deep well in the chalk somewhere near Watford. The Company report it as being exactly of the same quality as that supplied by the Colne Valley Water Works Company. On reaching Willesden it is softened by the Porter Clarke process, by means of lime water, and filtered, the filters of necessity being cleaned twice daily. The principal Industry of one portion of the District is Laundry Work. This is carried on chiefly in South Acton and Acton Green in the southern portion of the Parish. A large number of women are employed in this work. In the winter time in consequence of their having to go in and out of the drying rooms saturated with steam, into the cold air, they are very liable to get rheumatism, bronchitis and pneumonia. |
c82dac5a-7578-4347-922d-4fa1ef98a83b | The poorer women have frequently to leave their children at home to be looked after by the elder children or by neighbours. The result undoubtedly tends to cause an increased death rate amongst the younger children in the summer from diarrhoea and in the winter time from lung diseases. The Scavenging of the district is done by dust contractors. Every house in the Parish is supposed to be visited once a week, and on a certain day of the week. During the year there have been 225 complaints. I think that the only efficient manner is that the Board should themselves undertake the removal of refuse. The difficulty of getting rid of vegetable matter, rubbish, dust, &c., is becoming every year a more important problem. In the summer time a large quantity of green vegetable matter collects on the 17 premises of small greengrocers; this is not removed by the dust contractors but has to be got rid of by the tenants. I am of the opinion that it is a scource of great danger to the neighbourhood. |
775d8cfb-31a8-4504-a6c2-6df71225e1fa | The only efficient manner of getting rid of it, is for the district to have a dust-destructor, where all such refuse can be burnt. BURIAL GROUNDS. During the past year a new burial ground has been formed in the northern district of the Parish. It is situated on the east side of Horn Lane. It is a large piece of ground, about 12 acres in extent. The soil is a light clay. Two Chapels are being erected on the ground. ISOLATION HOSPITAL. At present there is no Isolation Hospital for Infectious Diseases. During the latter part of the year, the Acton Local Board have united with the Chiswick Local Board and the Hanwell Local Board to form a Joint Hospital Board for the purpose of erecting a Hospital suitable for accomodating the three districts. DISINFECTING APPARATUS. The Board have taken steps to provide themselves with a superheated steam disinfector. |
4867caf0-e50b-4211-8f71-98bf0e092670 | Hitherto the disinfection has been carried out by a contractor in the district employing heat only. BAKEHOUSES. An inspection of the bakehouses in this district was made by me during the year. In several, alterations had to be insisted on as regard trapping of drains. In one bakehouse I had to order 18 that a new concrete floor should be made as the place was swarming with rats. Most of them are in the basement under the ground floor. A few are on the ground level. These are much easier to keep clean. In one house I found that the coals were shot into the bakehouse. A cellar was made under the pavement to remedy this. DAIRIES AND COWSHEDS. Dairies and Cowsheds were visited. In several untrapped drains were discovered. These were at once remedied. I would recommend that all Dairies and Cowsheds be registered annually. SLAUGHTER HOUSES. |
9ae6f98f-0827-4004-85d2-8e711f1ac7c8 | There are five in this district. STREET IMPROVEMENTS. During the year, a number of houses on the north side of the High Street, near the Parish Church, have been pulled down, with the result that the High Street is widened and a fresh air inlet made in the centre of the town. SANITARY INSPECTIONS. This important part of the work of the department has been energetically carried out by the Sanitary Inspector. Every opportunity has been seized to make an inspection wherever possible. A house-to-house inspection is the only methodical manner of having this work efficiently done, and I would strongly urge the Board to sanction it. A summary of the Sanitary work done in this District has been appended to my report. 19 In conclusion, gentlemen, I have to express to you my thanks for the kindness and confidence you have shown me, and to the officers of the various departments for their hearty co-operation. |
c55def99-62d0-451e-a540-b25c41165acd | I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, W. T. GARDNER. Medical Officer of Health. 10, Avenue Crescent, Mill Hill Park, Acton, W. 20 For the Yeah 1893. QUERIES FOR SURVEYOR. Required for tabulating in Medical Officer's Annual Report to the County Council. 1.βQ. How many removals of Gipsies by Hustwitt? A. 31 that I know of. 2.βQ. How many cesspools done away with under your order? A. 13. 3.βQ. How many yards of new sewers laid? A. 371 yards. 4.βQ. How many reconstructed? A. 412. 5.βQ. How many drains tested in your department? A. 595. 6.βQ. What number of dust complaints? A. 225. |
2eacb874-2ff5-4dcb-a090-1c4764bf46a0 | 21 SUMMARY OF SANITARY WORK For the Year 1893. Bottles of Disinfectants supplied in cases of infectious diseases 250 Number of Rooms disinfected 158 β House Inspections 465 β Tests applied to Drains 43 β House Drains remedied and relaid 137 β Sanitary Additions and Improvements 244 Revisits for inspecting work in progress, etc. |
639532ad-4b78-47e3-9321-82ea8a7e9784 | 807 Inspections of accumulations and deposits 43 Sundry Nuisances 60 Nuisance from Stables 5 Foul Ditches 7 Water in Cellars 5 Stagnant Water 2 Burning Refuse 2 Fowls and Rabbits 2 Cats 1 Rats 1 Non-supply of water to dwellings 4 Overcrowding 7 Keeping swine within 100 feet of dwellings 2 Number of complaints registered 91 Inspections of Slaughter houses and Piggeries 260 β Bakehouses 32 β Cowsheds and Dairies 47 Articles of Food condemned:β 22 60 stone Colonial Mutton 3 quarters ox beef 11 stone 2 lbs. Bacon 1 Carcase of Pig 16 stone 2 lbs. 2 small lots of Beef 1 case of Cod 2 cases of Haddock 1 Cask of Cherries Number of Notices served. 186 These were supplemented by letters and personal interviews with owners and their representatives. |
9fef4dbf-c1d9-466b-baa9-c44098eeaf3b | Number of prosecutions 1 β cesspools abolished 21 23 Acton Urban Sanitary Authority. To Mr. of It having come to the knowledge of the Urban Sanitary Authority of Acton that , an inmate of your house, is suffering from a dangerous disorder, , I beg to call your attention to Section 126, Public Health Act, directing you to take certain precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The period during which this disease is infectious, and during which you must not allow the patient to be exposed, lasts weeks from the commencement of the disease, in this case until unless otherwise determined by a Medical Certificate. By order of the Urban Sanitary Authority, Signed W. T. GARDNER, M.B. Lond., Medical Officer of Health. Acton Local Board, High Street, Acton, ,189 24 PUBLIC HEALTH ACT, 1875. Sec. 126. |
7c755c1e-de45-4961-a07b-45699c7f2ebd | Any person whoβ (1) While suffering from any dangerous (a) infectious disorder wilfully exposes himself without proper precautions against spreading the said disorder in any street, public place (b), shop, inn, or public conveyance, or enters any public conveyance without previously notifying to the owner, conductor, or driver thereof that he is so suffering; or (2) Being in charge or any person (c) so suffering, so exposes such sufferer; or (3) Gives, lends, sells, transmits, or exposes without previous disinfection, any bedding clothing, rags or other things which have been exposed to infection from any such disorder, shall be liable to a PENALTY not exceeding FIVE POUNDS; and a person who, while suffering from any such disorder, enters any public conveyance without previously notifying to the owner or driver that he is so suffering, |
2630ae45-5eb0-4aef-9593-32f0aa4f4b05 | shall in addition be ordered by the court to pay such owner and driver the amount of any loss and expense they may incur in carrying into effect the provisions of this Act with respect to disinfection of the conveyance (a) Dangerous Infectious Disorders include any of the following diseases:β Small-pox, Cholera, Diphtheria, Membranous Croup, Erysipelas, the Disease known as Scarlatina or Scarlet Fever, and the Fevers known by any of the names: Typhus, Typhoid, Enteric, Relapsing, Continued or Puerperal, and also any Infectious Disease to which the Act has been applied by the Local Authority in manner provided by the Act. (b) School, Church, &c.. (c) This person may be an adult as well as a child. |
d70c90a2-c556-4c25-b478-419a3340f871 | Act 2 THE Urban District Council of Action ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE YEAR 1894. ACTON: Printed by J. Knowles, Market Place & Hooper's Mews. Act 2 THE Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER, FOR THE YEAR 1894. ACTON: Printed by J. Knowles, Market Place & Hooper's Mews. The Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE YEAR 1894. To the Chairman & Members of the Acton District Council. Gentlemen, I beg to submit to you the required Annual Report of the Health and Sanitary progress of Acton for the year 1894, but as I have only held office since Oct. 23rd, I have had to rely on my predecessor for much valuable information in its compilation. |
ba30bec1-c4c9-4d69-87ff-83418e7c7b23 | With regard to Meteorological Observations, the Autumn of the year was remarkable for an excessive rainfall, the result was a disasterous flood in the Thames Valley, which rendered the water turbid and overcharged with organic matter, this placed a great strain on the filtering beds of the various Water Companies, but on the subsidence of the flood the water soon regained its normal condition. 4 Among the chief works of Sanitary importance is the erection in the grounds of the Sewage Works of a Lyons' Patent Steam Disinfector by which all infected beds, bedding and clothing are subjected to super-heated steam, experiments have conclusively proved that steam at 2120 destroys all contagia. The new Burial Ground has been opened in the Northern district of the Parish. It is situated on the East side of Horn Lane. The widening of the High Street has been completed, and the benefit to the Town is apparent, a large fresh air inlet being thus provided. |
603417e9-11d5-4175-98d8-cf07cf0c9f47 | The question of providing a Hospital for Infectious Diseases still remains in abeyance, and I would suggest this matter should engage your early attention. I take this opportunity of suggesting the erection of a Destructor Furnace, fitted with a fume Cremator, by which the dust bin refuse, including vegetable organic matter, can be completely destroyed, without the production of any nuisance ia the neighbourhood of the Destructor. Under the present system the difficulty of dealing with this rubbish is becoming daily more apparent. There was an epidemic of Measles during the Spring, necessitating closing of the Schools, and causing thirteen deaths of children under five years from Bronchitis and Pneumonia. Many of the poorer class look upon Measles as a trivial disease, and ia many cases never seek Medical advice, whereas the patients 5 require the greatest care to prevent the serious lung complications that may supervene. |
963dbead-45be-47d2-a91d-a9e212ba8b1b | I am pleased to state that the death rate is the lowest since 1890, and the zymotic lower than the two preceeding years. You will notice that as usual the infant mortality is very high, no less than 133 deaths under one year, a death rate of 159.4 per thousand births. From the certificates sent in the majority of deaths under one year are from improper feeding, and 1 have made some further remarks in this report to show how this evil may to a certain extent be mitigated. POPULATION. In the middle of 1894, the population was estimated to be 27,600, an increase of 1,600 since the middle of 1893. The following table shows the number of the population and the inhabited houses at the four preceeding censuses. Year. Inhabited Houses. Population. 1861. 610 3,151 1871. 1,568 8,306 1881. |
1ab59e8a-86d1-4490-97c3-dec79bf94be4 | 2,844 17,110 1891. 4,084 24,207 BIRTHS. Total number of births registered was 834, as against 831 in 1893, an increase of 3, Birth Rate 30.2 per thousand persons living, as against 31.9 in 1893. 6 DEATHS. The number registered throughout the year was 393; this includes 25 residents of Acton who died in Public Institutions outside the Parish. They comprised 187 Males and 206 Females. The annual death rate calculated upon a population of 27,600 was 14 2 per thousand, as against 18.6 in 1893, the lowest since 1890. There were 19 inquests held. The average death rate for London was 17.4 per thousand, against 21.1, 20-3 and 20.9 in the three preceding years. |
065318ee-ec8d-4a7d-a491-71368e2942b6 | The following table shows the various ages at which death occurred in the District. Under 1 year 134 ... Under 5 191 1 year and under 5 57 5 ,, ,, 15 13 ... Over 5 202 15 ,, ,, 25 18 25 ,, ,, 65 107 65 and upwards 64 393 393 The following table compares the death rate of children under one year per thousand registered births, and the birth rate for the last eight years. 7 Birth Rate Per Thousand. Deaths of Children under 1 year Per Thousand Registered Births. |
850349db-afb7-4bc7-a67f-1db2854fbdc4 | 1887 28.7 147 1888 31.1 182 1889 34.1 175 1890 28.3 151 1891 30.8 146 1892 30.5 185 1893 31.9 192.5 1894 30.2 159.4 This high infant mortality is due to a great extent to the deplorable ignorance that exists both amongst the poorer and in some cases the more educated classes, as to the suitable food to give a child brought up by hand. It is especially a difficult subject to approach with regard to the poor women, who are at work all day and leave the infant to the care of children, or possibly some equally ignorant person. The plan that I have adopted is to give printed cards to the mothers and nurses as to the character and amount of food to be given at each meal, also minute directions how to prepare the food, and the suitable feeding bottle to be used. |
141ada78-ed30-47e7-a186-0a0777899114 | In some cases I find it necessary to instruct them personally in their homes, and not to lose sight of the infant until it begins to thrive. 8 It is calculated that 26,000 children die in London alone from improper feeding, and the mortality of children under 10 years is only 2 per cent. less than it was 50 years ago. Of 50,000 persons dying annually in London, 21,000 are children under that age. ZYMOTIC DEATH RATE. The District is conveniently divided into six divisions with a view of grouping the deaths from the principle Zymotic diseases. Acton. South Acton. Acton Green. East Acton. Willesden. Bedford Park. |
f0c2fd7c-9df9-4e63-9947-a5d2864d650c | Total Deaths 189 97 67 7 1 7 Deaths from Zymotic diseases 33 16 13 β 1 β The total number of deaths registered for the principle zymotic diseases was 63, as compared with 89 in 1893, this gives a zymotic death rate of 2.2 per thousand, as compared with 3.4 in 1893. In the following table the death rate and zymotic death rate are so arranged that comparison can be made for the last seven years. It will be noticed that the death rate is the lowest since 1890, and the zymotic lower than the two preceeding years. 9 1888. 1889. 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893. 1894. |
f0a295e4-aac0-4eb5-a1fc-11e545cd7df4 | Small Pox - - - - - - - Measles 1 25 11 9 24 2 15 Scarlet Fever 2 1 3 4 β 10 3 Diphtheria 2 8 7 2 4 2 5 Whooping Cough 9 13 3 6 25 5 17 Typhoid Fever β 1 1 β 3 4 2 Diarrhoea & Dysentery 10 12 18 24 34 60 17 Puerperal Fever β β β β 1 6 4 Total number of Deaths from 7 Zymotic Diseases 24 60 43 45 91 89 63 Deaths from other causes 282 377 298 368 334 396 330 Total Deaths 306 437 341 413 425 486 393 Death rate from seven' Zymotic diseases per thousand 1.09 2.8 1. |
60484fa2-2425-45a6-aaef-210cfd923058 | 9 1.8 3.6 3.4 2.2 Death rate from other 1 causes per thousand.) 12.9 16.1 12.0 15.3 13.4 15.2 12 General Death rate per thousand 13.99 18.9 13.9 17.1 17 18.6 14.2 REMARKS. There have been no deaths from Small Pox, fifteen deaths from Measles, 13 of which were children under 5 years of age who succumbed to lung complications. Three deaths from Scarlet Fever, and 5 from Diphtheria were registered, one of these occurred at the West London Hospital, the others as isolated cases in different parts of the Parish. 10 Whooping Cough was, next to Diarrhoea, the most fatal cause of death, 17 dying therefrom. |
890ba90f-fce1-4bf9-b9a8-7ea3681fc463 | It is believed to be a Micro-Paristic disease, the poison of which more especially affects the nervous system, with few exceptions the sufferers are solely children and persons of tender years. I think it is the duty of the Medical Officer to see that on recovery or death the clothing, and the room with its contents are properly disinfected. It is very satisfactory to note only 2 deaths from Typhoid Fever, one at Willesden and the other a child under 5 in Acton Parish. Diarrhoea carried off 17 persons, 13 being children under 5 years of age, and improper feeding was the primary cause in many cases. Puerperal Fever caused 4 deaths, but only one case was notified to the Medical Officer. NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. There was 167 cases notified as against 340 in 1893, the following table gives the number reported each year since the act came into force. 11 1890. |
869f5814-950f-473c-ae61-007eb6b13058 | 1891. 1892. 1893. 1894. Small Pox β β 13 7 2 Scarlet Fever 108 63 74 192 86 Diphtheria 14 8 27 41 22 Membranous Croup 4 β 13 1 β Typhoid Fever 13 13 15 19 15 Continued Fever β β β 1 β Puerperal Fever 1 β 1 2 1 Erysipilas 22 18 37 77 41 162 102 180 340 167 REMARKS. Both cases of Small Pox notified were sent to Hospital, they were imported into the District. SCARLET FEVER. This disease has not been nearly so prevalent this year as in 1893. DIPHTHERIA. Twenty-two cases were notified. |
7fc8cf15-3aa5-4584-bb8f-572d58806215 | In a. considerable number of cases the Diagnosis between Diphtheria, Follicular Tonsillitis, and the severest forms of Scarlet Fever without rash is exceedingly difficult, and it is now generally admitted that the Diagonosis in some cases can only be definitely settled by 12 bacteriological examination, hence, many cases that are notified as Diphtheria turn out to be Follicular Tonsillitis, and vice versa. I think that when there is any suspicion, the fact should be notified to the Medical Officer, the case can then be isolated until the diagnosis is clear. TYPHOID FEVER. Fifteen cases were notified, and in some of these defective drainage was discovered, and the action of the District Council to see the defects remedied was immediately taken. PUERPERAL FEVER. Only one case was notified. SUMMARY OF SANITARY WORK. |
214b0513-99af-4868-8232-e818159648d1 | Rooms, Bedding, &c., disinfected 77 Beds destroyed and replaced 1 Infectious disease visits to insure continued isolation of patients 286 House drains entirely re-constructed 89 Sanitary defects made good and other requirements provided 176 House drains and fittings tested 78 Re-visits while sanitary work was proceeding, also for ascertaining whether notices were beingcomplied with 640 13 Nuisances from road gulleys, manholes and air inlets, visited and reported on 26 Nuisances from manure, animal and fish offal, house refuse, and other deposits suppressed 125 Non-supply of water to dwellings 9 Nuisance from smoke 5 Cellar flooding 16 Over-crowding . 3 Insanitary dwellings. 4 Cesspools abolished. |
0a52dba3-133c-46d4-9c11-1b92eede8f5c | 2 Inspection of houses proposed to be used as baby farms 2 Inspection of common lodging house (the only one in Acton) 3 Nuisance from animals and poultry 7 Nuisance from Gypsies (their removal) 10 DETAILS OF SOME OF THE SANITARY IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO DWELLINGS. Soil pipes ventilated 57 Soil pipes taken outside house walls 8 Rain water pipes disconnected from soil pipes and made to discharge over gully trap 11 Roof guttering repaired and made good . 6 Defective roofs made water tight 12 Delapidated walls and ceilings repaired 10 Back yards and stable yards paved 20 Recepticles for stable manure provided . 2 14 Waste pipe from scullery sinks trapped and made to discharge over gully. 39 House cisterns removed from closets . 2 Insanitary bell traps replaced by siphon pully 7 Air inlets provided for ground floors of dwellings. |
dac3ee74-1ca3-46de-9a67-f22f8ecd2ce8 | 9 Waste preventors provided for closets 70 Defective closets replaced by sanitary apparatus . 85 Sewer air interceptors and air inlets to house drains 84 Dustbins provided 15 Dry areas and damp proof cources provided 4 Number of formal complaints entered and detailed in the Complaint Book 185 Inspection of Bakehouses 25 β β Dairies . 12 β β Cow Sheds . 95 β β Slaughter Houses 138 β β Piggeries 166 A quantity of fish, and a small amount of fruit were condemned as unfit for human consumption. Believe me, Gentlemen, Yours obediently, G. A. GARRY SIMPSON, Medical Officer. 7, Churchfield Road, East Acton, W. |
195eec9f-6a29-4b45-966a-14b8f22ea9b8 | 4261 THE Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE YEAR 1895. ACTON: Printed by J. Knowles, Market Place & Hooper's Mews. THE Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER, FOR THE YEAR 1895. ACTON: Printed by J. Knowles, Market Place & Hooper's Mews. The Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE YEAR 1895. To the Chairman & Members of the Acton District Council. Gentlemen, Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-Five maintained its character for Meteorological eccentricity to the last. |
ad6993ee-5645-404c-ad82-2722b3f02f94 | After nearly the coldest weather of the Century in its first three months, and the warmest on record in its last three months, it ended with a day that, so far as temperature went, would not have been considered anything exceptional in June. The severe frost caused much suffering and inconvenience to householders owing to the early freezing of the mains, and also of the pipes connecting the main with the domestic arrangements; but I trust this trouble, so far as the mains are concerned, will not 4 recur, as they have been lowered to 2 feet 6 inches below the surface, and arrangements have been made so that, should it be found necessary to turn the water off, it will only temporarily inconvenience a few inhabitants. Among other sanitary improvements may be mentioned the relaying of the Uxbridge Road and High Street with wood pavement, and the extension of the Tramway to the top of Acton Hill. The drainage of the district has received careful attention during the year. |
e9827dd5-07ee-4f46-9ca5-1e86076679b3 | Soil Sewers were laid in Birkbeck Avenue, Wolseley Road, Creswick Road, Mill Hill Grove, portion of Avenue Road, and the Willesden Sewer from Willesden Lane to Old Oak Wharf; the total length of these sewers being 7,203 lineal feet. I am pleased to note that you contemplate securing means of dealing more satisfactorily with cases of Infectious Disease, which I find impossible to isolate. I regret that so far you have not seen the advisability of erecting a Destructor Furnace, but I trust that this important sanitary measure will again engage your attention, for I am firmly convinced that it is the only satisfactory way of dealing with dust-bin refuse, especially now that so much household rubbish which used to be burnt goes into the dust-bin, owing to the introduction of gas cooking stoves and closed kitcheners. |
bca34d5b-9702-405a-9be7-b251159aabed | 5 I think all the old brick dust-bins should be abolished, and superseded by the "Sanitary Bin," a portable zinc or galvanized iron receptacle; and the rule should be enforced in every household that all moist or putrescible matter be burnt. The District was almost entirely free from Zymotic disease during the months of April and May, such an immunity has not been the case for some years. We had a mild outbreak of Scarlet Fever during the Autumn and early winter months; at this time Scarlet Fever was prevalent all over London and we were fortunate in having so few cases to deal with. Influenza became epidemic in the first week of February, and continued till the middle of March, causing nineteen deaths. Many who died from diseases of the lungs probably owed their trouble primarily to this complaint. The visitation was more severe than the previous epidemics in this district, and being highly infective, spread rapidly. |
bf6785fd-f3a9-4134-a898-cd97d2375864 | The further study made by the Medical Profession as to the natural history of Influenza, goes to show that it is a disease against which it is most difficult to apply measures of prevention with any substantial prospect of success. WATER SUPPLY. The supply has been constant except during the long frost previously alluded to. I take this opportunity of laying great stress on the importance (wherever there is a constant service) of drawing water used for drinking and cooking purposes, from a draw-off tap direct from the rising main, and not from the cistern where it has been exposed to warmth and pollution. 6 Recent extensive experiments have proved that the only domestic filters capable of removing all bacteria, are the PasteurChamberland and the Berkefeld. The latter is cheap, easily taken to pieces and cleaned. Charcoal cannot be too forcibly condemned as a filtering medium; forming as it does with the arrested organic matter, a veritable hotbed for the growth and multiplication of the bacteria. POPULATION. |
dfefb55f-66e7-413a-8dbd-c1e1d27b64ef | In the middle of 1895, the population was calculated to be 27,648, an estimated increase of 48 since the middle of 1894. The following table shows the number of the population and the inhabited houses at the four preceding censuses. Year. Inhabited Houses. Population. 1861. 610 3,151 1871. 1,568 8,306 1881. 2,844 17,110 1891. 4,084 24,207 BIRTHS. The total number of births registered was 874, as against 834 in 1894, an increase of 40. The Birth rate is 31.6 per thousand persons living, as against 30.2 in 1894. 7 DEATHS. The number registered throughout the year was 478; this includes 33 residents of Acton who died in Public Institutions outside the Parish. |
14d9a484-33c6-4536-9f5c-a94b08669304 | The annual death rate calculated upon a population of 27,648 was i7'2 per thousand, as against 14.2 in 1894. The average death rate for London was 194 per thousand, against 21.1, 20.3, 20.9 and 17.4 in the four preceding years. The following table shows the various ages at which death occurred in the District. Under 1 year 147 Under 5 197 1 year and under 5 50 5 β β 15 21 Over 5 281 15 β β 25 20 25 β β 65 132 65 and upwards 108 478 478 The following table compares the death rate of children under one year per thousand registered births, and the birth rate for the last nine years. 8 Birth Rate Per Thousand. Deaths of Children under 1 year. Per Thousand Registered Births. |
af6b289f-d7f0-4471-bdad-c4e738af2da4 | 1887 28.7 147 1888 31.1 182 1889 34.1 175 1890 28.3 151 1891 30.8 146 1892 30.5 185 1893 31.9 192.5 1894 30.2 160.6 1895 31.6 168.1 Researches have shown conclusively that one of the chief difficulties in the artificial feeding of infants, is in keeping the milk of the cow, or other animal, free from the contagion of bacilli, which are always floating in the atmosphere. Milk is found to be an admirable medium for the cultivation of these microbes, and the result of the infant imbibing these organisms is, that it is seized with diarrhoea and vomiting, which, unchecked speedily exhaust vitality and extinguish life. |
115d03d9-303e-49c0-b970-6533645c5332 | The only way to combat this evil is by sterilizing the milk, and if this were compulsory in our country as it is in some parts of America, our high infant mortality would soon be diminished. ZYMOTIC DEATH RATE. The total number of deaths registered for the principal Zymotic diseases was 67, as compared with 63 in 1894; this gives a Zymotic death rate of 2.4 per thousand. 9 In the following table the death rate and Zymotic death rate are so arranged that comparison can be made for the last eight years. 1888. 1889. 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893. 1894. 1895. Small Pox β β β β β β β β Measles 1 25 11 9 24 2 15 6 Scarlet Fever 2 1 3 4 β 10 3 3 Diphtheria 2 8 7 2 |
6f8edf1c-9ec1-4222-99d8-00f4d3eb976c | 4 2 5 5 Whooping Cough 9 13 3 6 25 5 17 5 Typhoid Fever β 1 1 β 3 4 2 2 DiarrhΕa and Dysentery 10 12 18 24 34 60 17 44 Puerperal Fever β β β β 1 6 4 2 Total number of Deaths} from 7 Zymotic Diseases) 24 60 43 45 91 89 63 67 Deaths from other causes 282 377 298 368 334 396 330 411 Total Deaths 306 437 341 413 425 486 393 478 Death rate from sevenl 1.09 2.8 1.9 1.8 3.6 3.4 2.2 2.4 Zymotic diseases per thousand Death rate from other causes per thousand 12.9 16. |
643b327d-4e30-4a17-a254-6e4b5daf0a87 | 1 12.0 15.3 13.4 15.2 12 14.8 General Death rate per thousand 13.99 18.9 13.9 17.1 17 18.6 14.2 17.2 NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. There were 161 cases notified, as against 167 in 1894. The following table gives the number reported each year since the Act came into force. 10 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893. 1894. 1895. |
7a8df1ed-29ab-44ce-bdce-71f6b00a4c32 | Small Pox β β 13 7 2 β Scarlet Fever 108 63 74 192 86 67 Diphtheria 14 8 27 41 22 32 Membranous Croup 4 β 13 1 β β Typhoid Fever 13 13 15 19 15 28 Continued Fever β β β 1 β β Puerperal Fever 1 β 1 2 1 3 Erysipelas 22 18 37 77 41 31 162 102 180 340 167 161 REMARKS. I have at your request drawn up instructions to householders regarding isolation and disinfection. On receiving a Notification of Infectious Disease I forward at once a copy of the pamphlet, and I find it answers its purpose admirably and is of great assistance. SCARLET FEVER. |
afe43c63-f389-4c7b-b276-f9e5f79801b3 | It is satisfactory to see again a diminution in the number of cases, especially when we consider the number of poor children in the district, and the fact that an epidemic of this disease was 11 more or less prevalent all over London during the latter part of the year. There were only three deaths. DIPHTHERIA There were 32 cases notified; most of these were fortunately very slight attacks. Without a bacteriological examination, it is impossible to say whether a certain form of sore throat is not the actual disease, hence, many medical practitioners prefer to notify suspicious cases. I think the Medical Officer should be informed of the addresses of any children who might be attending school with sore throats. There were five deaths from Diphtheria during the year. TYPHOID FEVER. Twenty-eight cases were notified. One was attributed to oysters, and in others defective drainage was discovered and rectified. There were two deaths. PUERPERAL FEVER. |
ff554028-feb9-4a58-bdb3-0938e5f0d1cb | Three cases were notified, two ending fatally; they were attended by women whose ignorance as regards cleanliness and antiseptic precautions was apparent. 12 SUMMARY OF SANITARY WORK. Visits to insure continued isolation of infectious patients 180 Rooms disinfected (bedding, &c., by super-heated steam) 83 Disinfectants supplied bottles 90 Dwellings inspected 343 House drains and sanitary fittings tested 120 Sanitary defects discovered 274 House drains taken up and reconstructed 104 Visits to inspect sanitary work in progress, and to ascertain whether notices were being complied with 666 Soil pipes ventilated 15 Soil pipes taken outside house walls 9 Waste pipes made to discharge in open air over trapped gullies 37 House cisterns removed from inside w.c. |
a28291f0-04fc-421d-a117-b2f0be49dd97 | x Rain water pipes disconnected from soil drains at houses 15 Insanitary closets replaced by sanitary apparatus 82 "Sewer air intercepters" and air inlets fixed 80 Water-waste preventers for flushing closets 22 Defective roofs made good 12 Defective guttering replaced or made good 12 Dilapidated walls and ceilings repaired at houses g Complaints registered 186 13 Notices served, which were supplemented by letters and personal interviews with owners of the property 146 ORDINARY NUISANCES ABATED. Sewer manholes and road gullies 15 Smoke 2 Manure, fish offal, and other deposits 35 Cesspools abolished 11 Insanitary dwellings 9 Overcrowding 10 Cellar Flooding 16 Animals and Poultry 16 Gipsy encampments removed 20 Non-supply of water to houses 11 Receptacles for stable refuse provided 2 Piggeries abolished 5 GENERAL SANITARY INSPECTIONS. |
0af1536b-50c4-4411-a5e4-e7f7620272d5 | Bakehouses 20 Dairies 8 Cowsheds 73 Slaughterhouses 126 Piggeries 183 Brickfields 54 14 ARTICLES OF FOOD CONDEMNED AS UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. Carcass of Beef. 3 Cases of Haddock, 1 Barrel of Herrings. 7 Cases of Plaice. A considerable quantity of Apples and Tomatoes. Believe me, Gentlemen, Yours obediently, G. A GARRY SIMPSON, Medical Officer. 7, Churchfield Road, East Acton, W. |
d4f57a8b-ce4b-4652-a531-51a5a146c094 | THE Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER, FOR THE YEAR 1896. ACTON : Printed by j. Knowles, Market Ti.ace & Hooper's Mews. THE Man District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER, FOR THE YEAR 1896. ACTON : Printed by j. knowles, market tlace & hooper's mews. The Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE YEAR 1896. To the Chairman & Members of the Acton District Council Gentlemen, I have the pleasure of submitting to you the various facts connected with the sanitary history of Acton during the past year. The Population has increased, the number of births being the highest ever recorded in this district. |
0d096245-a59c-4036-9bf1-21d7ce6e0df9 | The death rate, by no means high, would have been considerably lower but for the epidemics of Measles and Whooping Cough, which were very prevalent throughout England during the Spring. You will notice that in this report I have fully alluded to the causes of the high death rate of these two diseases, and what steps I purpose taking with a view to checking the same. As the weather is one of the most potent factors in determining the health of a community, I may briefly note that we enjoyed a very mild, open winter, followed by a dry and warm Spring and Summer, while the Autumn proved rather wet on the whole, with a considerable decrease of temperature ; but neither in the opening nor in the closing months was there cold of sufficient intensity and duration to prejudicially affect the health of anyone other than the frailest of invalids. 4 POPULATION. |
900e37cd-1566-48cf-bb44-3cb93e9e94cd | In the middle of 1896 the number of inhabited houses was 4,909; allowing as usual six persons for every occupied house, the population is 29,454, an estimated increase of 1,806 compared with 1895. The following table shows the number of the population and the inhabited houses at the four preceding censuses. Year. Inhabited Houses. Population. 1861. 610 3,151 1871. 1,568 8,306 1881. 2,844 17,110 1891. 4,084 24,207 BIRTHS. The total number registered was 894, (450 boys and 444 girls). This is the largest number ever registered in this district. The birth rate is 30-3 per thousand persons living. A high birth rate suggests that a large proportion of young married people reside in the locality. The following table shows the births since 1890. |
7865c549-e278-4bcd-bea3-b5be6ca9c48a | Year. Number of Births. 1890. 704 1891. 772 1892. 763 1893. 831 1894. 834 1895. 874 1896. 894 5 DEATHS. The number of deaths registered was 464,βthis includes 29 residents of Acton who died in Public Institutions outside the Parish. The annual death rate calculated upon a population of 29,454 was 15.7 per thousand as against 17.2 in 1895. The average death rate for London was i8-2 per thousand. The following table shows the various ages at which death occurred in the District. |
7ec98c4b-6ddf-44ba-b9f8-92b83053ec0e | Under 1 year 151 Under 5 232 1 year and under 5 81 5 β β 15 27 Over 5 232 15 β β 25 12 25 β β 65 102 65 and upwards 91 464 464 The following table compares the death rate of children under one year per thousand registered births, and the birth rate for the last ten years. Birth Rate Per Thousand. Deaths of Children under 1 year. Per Thousand Registered Births. |
2307f876-6974-4500-853e-8aca8e8e2462 | 1887 28.7 147 1888 31.1 182 1889 34.1 175 1890 28.3 151 1891 30.8 146 1892 30.5 185 1893 31.9 I92.5 1894 30.2 160.6 1895 31.6 168.1 1896 30.3 168.9 6 The following causes, in my opinion, contribute towards making the infant mortality so high in England:β 1. Contagion of microbes in the milk. 2. Ignorance of parents as to suitable food to give a child brought up by hand. 3. Bad ventilation and overcrowding, especially in the houses of the working classes, which induces a lowered state of vitality, and rickets. 4. Children being placed under the care of others during the absence of the mother at her work. |
54af3883-3c0d-4072-ad19-ff50101c3822 | It appears to me that the only way to combat the above evils, would be to educate the mothers, which could be done by lectures, say at mothers' meetings, or else the medical practitioner in attendance at the confinement could give the mother written instructions how to bring up her offspring. A Creche under the supervision of an experienced nurse, should exist in the several districts, and be partly self-supporting. ZYMOTIC DEATH RATE. The total number of deaths registered for the Zymotic diseases was 93, as compared with 67 in 1895; this gives a Zymotic death rate of 3-1 per thousand. In the following table the death rate and Zymotic deaths 7 rate are so arranged that comparison can be made for the last nine years. 1888. 1889. 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893. 1894. 1895. 1896. Small Pox - - - - - |
3c768b90-a796-4716-b607-d75353fbc0c3 | - - - - Measles 1 25 11 9 24 2 15 6 24 Scarlet Fever 2 1 3 4 - 10 3 3 1 Diphtheria 2 8 7 2 4 2 5 5 8 Whooping Cough 9 13 3 6 25 5 17 5 21 Typhoid Fever - 1 1 β 3 4 2 2 2 DiarrhΕa & Dysentery 10 12 18 24 34 60 17 44 37 Puerperal Fever - - - - 1 6 4 2 - Total number of Deaths from 7 Zymotic Diseases 24 60 43 45 91 89 63 67 93 Deaths from other causes 282 377 298 368 334 396 330 411 371 Total Deaths 306 437 |
5115afbb-e5a9-4bf9-85ed-696bbb51de27 | 341 413 425 486 393 478 464 Death rate from 7 Zymotic diseases per thousand 1.09 2.8 1.9 1.8 3.6 3.4 2.2 2.4 3.1 Death rate from other causes per thousand 12.9 16.1 12.0 15.3 13.4 15.2 12 14.8 12.6 General Death rate per thousand 13.99 18.9 13.9 17.1 17 18.6 14.2 17.2 15.7 In London the Zymotic Death rate was 3-1 per thousand. 8 NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. There were 259 notified, as against 161 in 1895. The following table gives the number reported each year since the act came into force. 1890. |
6fa56bd8-a5fa-4923-8d30-8a6b157e8de3 | 1891. 1892. 1893. 1894. 1895. 1896. Small Pox β β 13 7 2 β β Scarlet Fever 108 63 74 192 86 67 193 Diphtheria 14 8 27 41 22 32 23 Membranous Croup 4 β 13 1 β β β Typhoid Fever 13 13 15 19 15 28 14 Continued Fever β β β 1 β β β Puerperal Fever 1 β 1 2 1 3 3 Erysipelas 22 18 37 77 41 31 26 162 102 180 340 167 161 259 REMARKS. The following is my procedure on receipt of a notification of Infectious Disease. |
7654bd1c-78cb-4e30-b2b7-a0ff8fd6f527 | To the Sanitary Inspector I at once forward the following, who visits the case without delay: Notification of Infectious Disease. Received by Medical Officer. Forwarded to Sanitary Inspector. Name and address of Patient. Disease. Medical Attendant. 9 To the head of the house where the disease exists a book of instructions regarding isolation and disinfection; and to the schoolmaster or mistress of the district the following form : Urban District Council of Acton. 189 To the Master or Mistress ot School. I have received notice that living at is suffering from and request that you will not receive any child from that house until I inform you that all danger of infection is passed. G A. GARRY SIMPSON, Medical Officer of Health. When the disease is over and the child or children free from infection, the following form is posted : Urban District Council of Acton. 189 To the Master or Mistress of School. |
3d5bff07-2cd4-4824-934d-af71af4ccd60 | The child or children residing at are now free from infection, and may return to school. G. A. GARRY SIMPSON, Medical Officer of Health. 10 SMALL POX. No cases have been notified since 1894, and it is a noteworthy fact that no deaths have occurred in Acton from this disease during the last twelve years, a forcible proof of the efficacy of vaccination. MEASLES. There was an epidemic of this disease during the spring, and caused the deaths of twenty-four children among the poorer class. This death rate is due entirely to ignorance as to the danger of neglecting this disease, and the serious complications which may supervene if due care is not taken of the patients and medical advise sought early. |
ffeb154f-2019-42ab-9f5d-2ef706a895ac | Witji a view of instructing this class I have written a leaflet in which directions are given how this disease may be recognised in the early stages, and warning the parents of the danger of exposing the children to cold, and neglecting to send for medical assistance. This leaflet will be distributed shortly. Of all diseases Measles is most difficult to arrest the spread of in a household, from the fact that it begins as an ordinary cold, and that it is in this stage highly infectious, so that measures of isolation will in nine cases out of ten be too late, so far as the family are concerned; but it is right to give such measures a trial, and to isolate the first cases directly the disease is recognised. In many districts Measles has been made a notifiable disease, but the utility of this measure is questionable for the above reasons. SCARLET FEVER. |
b35bebaf-91bc-495a-8fbb-96991b7a1c42 | One hundred and ninety three cases were notified, but only one death occurred from this complaint; this is highly satisfactory, especially when we compare the figures with the last epidemic in 1893, when 192 cases were notified and 10 deaths took place. The epidemic commenced in Acton Green, and spreading with some rapidity, I found that Beaumont Park School was the 11 centre of propagation; I visited this school daily for some weeks, examining children who had any suspicion of ill-health. On more than one occasion I found children desquamating freely. Such a state of things can only be brought about either by neglect or ignorance on the part of the parents, or the attack may have been so slight as to have escaped notice. From the results obtained by these daily inspections, I am convinced that the surest way to arrest an epidemic is to make the school in the neighbourhood the centre for daily inspection of the children; this step I shall always take in the future should occasion arise. |
7a637f62-4e3a-4b79-a8c2-4e7ca7974a1d | DIPHTHERIA. Twenty-three cases were notified, and eight deaths occurred during the year. In most of the houses the sanitary arrangements were defective; these were rectified. I was able to satisfactorily trace three cases to Kent Piatt, a village near Burrow Green. Many of the cases notified as Diphtheria, turned out to be Follicular Tonsillitis, but as I have previously pointed out the diagnosis can only be settled in the early stages by a bacteriological examination. Probably before long each District will have its own laboratory, where such investigations can be carried out. WHOOPING COUGH. Twenty-one deaths were registered from this complaint, all of children under 5 years of age. If we come to examine the deaths more particularly, we find that three-fourths of the deaths occur in children under two years of age, the mortality of the female sex being in excess of that of the male. |
055c253e-fe19-4c50-9b98-eb5a11248c28 | The mortality is also increased in the cold weather. This is attributable to the exposure and to the absence of proper precautions on the part of the parents, who are inclined to look upon Whooping Cough as an ailment of little moment and requiring but little treatment. 12 The Whooping Cough itself is rarely fatal. It is the complications that kill, and they are very numerous. The remedy is, as I have remarked under Measles, to enlighten the public. One of the first lessons must be that Whooping Cough is not a necessary disease of childhood, that children are not doomed by any laws of Providence to either Measles, Scarlet Fever, or Whooping Cough, and that children suffering should be isolated and properly cared for. If it were possible on the same day to isolate all the children suffering from this disease, and to keep them in quarantine for a lengthened period, Whooping Cough might be stamped out. This is impracticable. |
8f836bf7-3049-4166-acd8-49daf2da3521 | We may, however, do much to check and limit it, but without the intelligent assistance of the public we are powerless. TYPHOID FEVER. Fourteen cases were notified, and only two deaths were registered, one in Acton and one in Bedford Park. Defective drainage was found and rectified. DIARRHΕA. Thirty-seven deaths, all except two being children under five years of age. This is a disease greatly influenced by temperature. It is noticeable that soon after the temperature of the earth, at a depth of one foot, has reached 590 F to 62Β° F, the causes producing the disease begin to operate. Nearly all the above deaths took place during the summer months. PUERPERAL FEVER. Three cases only were notified, and not a single death occurred. Yet there were no less than 894 confinements attended during the year. |
4d638b61-edda-4f08-9848-e60888862837 | This happy result is due to the Medical Practitioners using strict antiseptic precautions. 13 PHTHISIS AND TUBERCULOSIS. Forty-two deaths were registered from this disease. It is evident that much work lies ready for Medical Officers of Health and others in connection with the spread of tubercle. If we can persuade people to look upon Tuberculosis as an infectious disease much will be done to prevent its spread, and a great advance in preventive medicine will be made. The Germans look upon perfect cleanliness in the treatment of phthisical patients as absolutely essential. Pocket handkerchiefs and bed linen are most carefully sterilized by means of steam or germicidal agents. Patients are strongly enjoined not to expectorate, except into receptacles specially made for the purpose, and in which the sputa can be easily disinfected. |
c17a64c4-e460-4b8a-b9fd-b0ab61559f00 | The results of these precautions are not yet manifest, but it may be confidently anticipated that within a short time a considerable diminution in the number of phthisical patients in Germany will be recorded. As a single example we may take the Grand Duchy of Baden, where there was a diminution of deaths from Tuberculosis, from 3-08 per 1,000 inhabitants in 1882 to 2'8o per 1,000 in 1887, or no less than "28 per 1,000. If similar results were obtained in the British Isles, and the patients were not carried off by other diseases, the saving to our community would be nearly 10,000 lives per annum. I notice that a leaflet has been sent by the Glasgow Health Committee to every ratepayer in that city, explaining in the clearest manner the infectious nature of the disease, and giving brief but excellent directions for the avoidance of infection. WATER SUPPLY. |
369ae9b4-2184-48a4-8536-75e1f763c84b | The work of lowering the mains to 2 feet 6 inches below the surface is still being carried on, and will shortly be completed. This will, I trust, prevent the great inconvenience to householders that has occurred on former occasions owing to the frost. 14 DRAINAGE. Soil Sewers were constructed in Emanuel Avenue, Priory Road, Palmerston Road, All Saints' Road, Hereford Road, Shajimar Road, and a portion of Acton Lane. INSPECTION OF THE DISTRICT. Regular inspections of the District have been made. Houses unfit for human habitation have been closed, nuisances arising from offensive trades have been repressed. In conclusion, I append a report of the Sanitary Inspector, and remain, gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, G. A. GARRY SIMPSON Medical Officer of Health. 15 REPORT OF SANITARY IN8PECTOR For the year ending 31st December, 1896. |
6e507bb3-9b5d-4b9d-ab06-1981c8ba110c | Visits to ensure continued isolation of infectious patients 760 Rooms, Bedding, &c., disinfected 139 Board school rooms, lavatories, and clothes racks disinfected 5 Disinfectantssupplied(exclusiveot supplies from the office) bots. 287 Number of dwellings inspected 238 Found insanitary 225 House drains and sanitary fittings tested (dwellings) 126 House drains taken up and re-constructed t32 Visits to ascertain whether notices were being complied with, |
546616b9-f4f5-4887-9937-bd6b59c55689 | and to inspect sanitary work in progress 730 Soil pipes and drains provided with vent pipes 107 Soil pipes taken outside house-walls 6 Scullery waste pipes disconnected from soil drains and made to discharge in the open air over trapped gulleys 30 Rain water pipes disconnected from soil drains (dwellings) 11 Insanitary closets replaced by sanitary apparatus 81 Water-waste preventers fixed for flushing closets 33 Defective roofs made good 8 Defective guttering replaced or repaired (dwellings) 8 Dilapidated walls, ceilings, &c. repaired (dwellings) 39 Complaints registered 129 Notices served (supplemented by letters and personal interviews with owners or agents) 146 Additional closets provided in connection with laundries under the Workshop and Factories Act, 1896 10 Sanitary improvements ordered by Inspector of Nuisances (Acton) 20 Schools inspected 11 16 ORDINARY NUISANCES ABATED. |
5e5392ae-f9bd-41be-b165-8c484d800fbd | Smoke 8 Manure, fish offal, and other offensive deposits 23 Cess-pools abolished 8 Choked drains, &c. 33 Overcrowding 10 Cellar flooding 13 Non-supply of water to dwellings 3 Pig-keeping abolished 6 Dustbins provided 25 Other nuisances not included in the above 53 GENERAL INSPECTIONS. Bakehouses 26 Cowsheds, dairies, and milkshops 65 Slaughter houses 95 Piggeries 139 Brickfields 13 ARTICLES OF FOOD CONDEMNED. A large quantity of Meat-bones. 1 Trunk of Mackerel. 2 β β Plaice. 1 β β Haddock. 1 β β Cat-fish. WILLIAM T. BOVEY, Inspector of Nuisances. |
13521f1a-ed7a-4112-9693-b58162fa9c7f | ACT 5 8232 THE Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT of the MEDICAL OFFICER, FOR THE YEAR 1897. ACTON: Printed by J. Knowles, Market Place, & Hooper's Mews. ACT 5 THE Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT of the MEDICAL OFFICER, FOR THE YEAR 1897. ACTON: Printed by J. Knowles, Market Place, & Hooper's Mews. The Urban District Council of Acton. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE YEAR 1897. To the Chairman and Members of the Acton District Council. Gentlemen, I have the honour to present to you my Annual Report: together with tables setting forth the Births, Deaths and Sickness in the district during the year 1897. |
532f2ebd-cfb3-4e5d-a681-09300a1270f3 | The public health was, upon the whole, satisfactory; the death rate for the year being 15.9 per thousand of the population, and I should have had the satisfaction of recording a much lower rate but for an outbreak of epidemic diarrhoea during the summer months, which was responsible for no less than eighty deaths. In this report I have dealt with the probable causes of the outbreak, and the precautions to be taken in the future with a view of preventing the disease becoming epidemic. The Section of this report which deals with the prevalence of Zymotic disease in the district may, with regard to Small Pox, Scarlet Fever, Whooping Cough and Puerperal Fever be called extremely satisfactory, there being not one single death to record from these diseases, and only two deaths from Typhoid Fever, and two from Measles. Though we have no Isolation Hospital at present, yet the Notification Act is of great benefit to the district. |
b471ffd1-6844-4588-a2e6-4a79e9f03cc4 | In securing authentic reports of the first cases that are recognised, we are able, in many cases, to confine the disease to one house, by educating the people up to their responsibilities as set forth in the Public Health Act, and carefully explaining to them the danger likely to ensue to their neighbour's health from any careless disobedience to our instructions. 4 The system that I have instituted of educating the public by means of Pamphlets and Leaflets has done more to stop exposure of infected persons than any method previously adopted. Although I have persistently and constantly urged upon you the necessity of providing an Isolation Hospital, or making proper and efficient provision for cases of Infectious Disease, I regret that I have been so far unsuccessful. With the exception of Edmonton (where the population in 1896 was estimated at 32,045) Acton is the only parish in Middlesex with a population over 30,000 which has no means of Isolation. |
c9965417-838c-48b8-b701-71f19bc4f173 | Paving, Sewering, and Widening of Streets go on year after year, and cannot but lead to improved health. The old ill-constructed pan closets and defective ashpits are becoming rare, giving place to better arrangements, and the dangerous conditions of house drainage which passed muster at one time, are, I think, entirely cleared away. Among the public works of importance may be mentioned the building of a Cottage Hospital, the gift of Mr. Passmore Edwards, on a site in Gunnersbury Lane, presented by Lord Rothschild. Certain houses unfit for human habitation have been demolished. A special report on the prevalence of Diphtheria during the quarter ending September 30th was presented to you in November. The Inspector reports to me that the state of the Cowsheds and Dairies throughout the district is satisfactory. I have at intervals inspected the district as occasion may have required. |
110cab39-35db-48b7-a82a-7bfba9ddf4ca | I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, G. A. GARRY SIMPSON, Medical Officer of Health. 5 POPULATION. In the middle of 1897 the number of inhabited houses was 5,272; allowing as usual six persons for every occupied house, the population is 31,632, an estimated increase of 2,178 compared with 1896. The following table shows the number of the population and the inhabited houses at the four preceeding censuses. Year. Inhabited Houses. Population. 1861. 610 3,151 1871. 1,568 8,306 1881. 2,844 17,110 1891. 4,084 24,207 BIRTHS. The total number registered was 973 (510 boys and 463 girls.) The birth rate is 307 per thousand persons living. The following table shows the births since 1890. |
112893f3-16c9-4c39-86bc-5e535a586b93 | Year. Number of Births. 1890. 704 1891. 772 1892. 763 1893. 831 1894. 834 1895. 874 1896. 894 1897. 973 Birth Rate for London 30.0 per 1,000 persons living. DEATHS. The number of deaths registered was 503, this includes 33 residents of Acton who died in Public Institutions outside the parish. The annual death rate calculated on a population of 31,632 was 15.9 per thousand, as against 15.7 in 1896. The average Death Rate for London was 18.2. |
a823ecff-9d8c-4713-8f43-19dd80e91f22 | 6 The following table shows the various ages at which death occurred in the District:β Under 1 year 193 Under 5 257 1 year and under 5 64 5 years and under 15 24 Over 5 246 15 β β 25 19 25 β β 65 125 65 β and upwards 78 503 503 The following table compares the death rate of children under one year per thousand registered births, and the birth rate for the last ten years. Birth Rate Per Thousand. Deaths of Children under 1 year. Per Thousand Registered Births. |
a184bf44-94a4-4dd9-9348-712f65c37315 | 1887 28.7 147 1888 31.1 182 1889 34.1 175 1890 28.3 151 1891 30.8 146 1892 30.5 185 1893 31.9 192.5 1894 30.2 160.6 1895 31.6 168.1 1896 30.3 168.9 1897 30.7 198.3 It will be seen that our Infant Mortality is very high; this is explainable by the number of children who died during the summer months from epidemic Diarrhoea. This disease was prevalent all over England during August; in London at this time the deaths of children under one year per thousand births was 243. |
e16ade27-4a4f-40f7-a7e3-b1c0daf383b4 | 7 Epidemic Diarrhoea is due to a Micro-organism, which is capable of leaving its primary abode, the earth, and becoming air borne, obtains opportunity for fastening itself on food ; and from food or organic matter which serves as pabulum, it can manufacture a virulent chemical poison, and this chemical poison is the material cause of Epidemic Diarrhoea. It will thus be evident that the means at the disposal of the Medical Officer of Health to prevent these recurring epidemics is limited, but I think much may be done by the distribution of leaflets, advising amongst other matters :β (i.) The importance of boiling milk. (2.) Only taking in sufficient fermentable food, as is required for the day's use. (3.) Advice as to the conditions under which food can be stored. (4.) |
c481fdf5-cc71-49e3-af06-4ec9efd84001 | Situation of the larder as regards ventilation &c., In the houses of the poorer class the household food is put in a cupboard, or simply exposed in the dwelling, or it may be a sleeping room ; in such cases as these contamination of the food is almost impossible to prevent. ZYMOTIC DEATH RATE. The total number of deaths registered for the Zymotic diseases was 130, no less than 80 being due to diarrhoea. The Zymotic death rate for the year was 4.1 per thousand of the population. 8 In the following table the death rate and Zymotic death rate are so arranged that comparison can be made for the last ten years. 1888. 1889. 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893 1894. 1895. 1896. 1897. Small Pox - - - - - - - - - - Measles 1 25 11 9 24 |
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