BOARD OF HEALTH.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2389, 29 November 1881, Page 4

BOARD OF HEALTH.

The usual meeting of this Board took place immediately after that of tho Drainage Board. Present—Messrs Harman (chairman), Tancred, White, Hobbs, Blakiston, Brown, and Cuff. The Chairman reported that ho had adver tisod and caused circulars to be sent calling the attention of medical men to the alteration made in tho law as to the reporting of infectious diseases. The report of tho medical officer was read as follows : Christchurch, October 29th, 1881. Tho Chairman Board of Health.—Sir, —I have the honor to submit to yon my report on the health of tho district for the quarter ending September 30th. Tho following are tho number of householders who reported cases of infectious diseases for tho three months : „ Typhoid 1 Scarlet fever. Diphtheria, fever. Measles. 43 14 2 112 The cases have been distributed thus Typhoid _ Scarlet fever. Diphtheria, fever. Measles. Christcb’ch 10* 6* 1 S3* Sydenham.. 10 2 18 Avon ... 2 3 Heathcote,, 1 1 19 Hiccarton ..15 1 Spreydon .. 1 * Ono of those cases was admitted into the Hospital from beyond the district. And according to tho months Typhoid Scarlet fever. Diphtheria, fever. Measles. July ... 88 5 2 62 August ... 7 2 47 September. The numbers reported for the corresponding three months of 1880 were:—Typhoid fever, 16; diphtheria, 12 ; scarlet fever, 14. Tha mortality within tho city was, per 1000 of tho population monthly : —July, 1.58: August, 1.05; September, 1 84 ; and for the corresponding months of *BB0—July, 1.39; August, 1.19 ; September, 1.25. Tho mortality in cydenham was, per 1000 of the population monthly :—July, 1.18; August, 1.42; September, 2.24; and for the corresponding quarter of 1880—July, 1.80 ; August, 1.54.; September, 0.76. On looking over those statistics it will bo observed that the health of that part of tho district incluled within Christchurch and Sydenham was scarcely so good during the quarter as it was for the corresponding period cf 1880. In Christchurch this has been caused by an increase in tho deaths which are classified under tho orders of zymotic and developmental diseases, and in th ■ deaths from violence. Zymotic diseases, during the quarter, proved fatal in 13 cases, as compared with seven for tho corresponding quarter of 1880. Under developmental diseases there were no less than seven deaths registered from “debility,” while all the other largo New Zealand towns returned among them only four deaths from this cause. It would bo peculiar to get in one quarter of a year, in Christchurch alone, so many deaths from uniform exhaustion of all tha organs of tho body without specific disease. If medical practitioners, however, were a little more precise in recording the primary causes of death in their certificates, and if registration and health districts could ha brought withiu the same bounds, vital statistics would giro more reliable information. As hut little trouble and expanse would bo entailed in making the registration area of tho Christchurch district conterminous with tho health district, I trust tha Board will again move tho Government in tho matter. Deaths from violence during this quarter tumbsred five, or throe in excess of last year’s corresponding quaitar. Of the zymotic diseases typhoid fever caused three deaths in Christchurch, all of which occurred in tha month of July. I have so recently reported on the epidemic of this disease in connection with tho dairy on tho liccoln road, that I would now merely refer to it ns being tho direct moans whereby tho whole of New Zealand has become possessed of a Public Health Act, which, if properly worked, should prevent a repetition of such an occurrence. Towards tho end of last quarter measles, which had been very prevalent in the southern parts of New Zealand, began te spread throughout the district. This epidemic has been widely distributed, and although a great number of cases have been reported, probably they represent only a small proportion of those which have actually existed, measles being considered by many as a simple disease not requiring notice. It would however ho something to congratulate Christchurch and t-ydenham on, that they had passed through such a severe epidemic with the Toss of only three and four lives rcspective’y ; but Hear in not a few cases the primary cause of death has been overlooked, and the after consequences registered. It is worth mentioning that children who havo gone through epidemics of measles require unusual care, for it has been observed that such outbreaks are followed for some time by an increased rate of mortality among children Only fourteen householders reported cases of diphtheria during the quarter. No part of tho district escaped from this disease ; five of the leases were in Christchurch, and of these two died. Scarlet fever has been almost absent from the district; only ■two cases were reported, as against eighteen for tho June quarter, and these occurred in July. I Deaths from this disease however have been registered for some months past, both in Auckland and in Dunedin, and probably ■this district will not escape much longer. The Board is to be congratulated on the amendments in tho Public Health Act which were passed last session. Infections diseases will now bo more under control, for they will be better known, and purveyors of milk will now bo obliged to carry on their trade under wholesome restrictions. Bat every case of infectious disease may be promptly reported, and inspection may secure milk from contamination by means of either water or disease germs, and yet the district may remain unhealthy. The whole district wants systamatic inspection, and all inspectors should work under some definite plan that would ensure constant communication with tho medical officer. If tho pan system is to he continued it should be improved, and the use cf dry earth should be encouraged. Cesspits in many of the populous suburbs ora still permitted to defile the ground and pollute tho air to the detriment of tho public health. I have frequently directed attention to the absence of dust bins and to the unhealthy practice of allowing decaying animal and vegetable refuse to accumulate in the immediate neighborhood of dwellings, but it appears without much success. Putrefying heaps of filth must still exist in many places in the district, for barely four hundred and fifty householders in Christchurch are visited by the dustman, and his cervices in tho suburbs, X cm informed, aro confined to one house in Waltham. Mr Bright■ling contracts for removing refuse in Sydenham, but only one householder in the borough has retained him for regular visits, and, altogether, tha number is under twelve that employ him occasionally. In the face of such neglect of common sanitary precautions, it cannot be matter of sn.rf*.isa that typhoid fever, dysentery, and diarrhoea are prevalent diseases in the district.

Tie artesian water supply having in many places La Chrisffckurch ceased to ficw above the surface, some ct the street channels are very offensive., olthou gk two water carts are constantly employed in to keep them .clean. Let anyone compare tie present state of Durham street north to Gloucester street west with the Springfield road and Crescent road, where householders drain their slops into the sewers, and ho will see tfae advantage of house connections. Clearly, if householders are not compelled to .cake use of the deep sewers which are now laid-in almost ail the streets north of the river, a - fresh water supply becomes a present necessity. As the district becomes more thickly populated, applications for the suppression of public nuisances wirl bo. constantly recurring. Offensive trades must necessarily bo carried ou and ‘ local industries cannot he harassed without pre-, ■juice to commerce, the Board should therefore, urge upon those interested the advisahlenoss of conducting their operations in places not likely •to become closely packed with human habitations. On September the 15th I reported to the Baard that / had visited the Asylum in consequence of the complaints which wore made of the v.ater which ran into the Lincoln road drain frem the Asylum grounds, and found that although the water had an unpleasantly strong chalybeate smelt, it was quite inuoouous._ The history of this water is easily told. In sinking a oatchpit for sewage at the Asylum a superficial spring was tapped strongly impregnated with iron, and this ou coming to the surface quickly became oxydised or rusted, and deposited a thick yellowish coating on -the sides and bottom of the drain. This water, although not fit for drinking purposes, is quite harmless, and does not derive either its smell or color from excreta. So muck misapprehension, .however, has existed on this point that I have gladly accepted the direction of the Board to have the water and deposit analysed, aud I now enclose the reports of the examinations by Professors Bicker ton and Hatton. I am, &c., (Signed) Courtney Nedwilx,, M.D., Medical Officer.

Tbo analyses, according ,to the report of Professors Biokorton and Hutton, showed that nothing more harmful than peroxide of iron existed in the water examined, end a stone taken from the drain showed such a deposit, together with a “ mass of fine filamentous oonforvoid algic, belonging to the family oscillatoricos, which plant is quite harmless,” It was agreed to adopt tho suggestion of the medical' officer, and again urge upon thp government tho necessity of his being furnished with complete returns of the vital statistics of tho district so arranged SB to ehoiy figures fo? different loe&Hties.

The Chairman stated that the nuisance at Hancock's soap and candle works appeared to be as bad as, if not worse than, over. Ho proposed, if it was not abated within the time allowed by the Board, to lay an informa tion against the proprietor. Letters wore road—From Dr. Nod will, dated November 19th, referring to a nuisance caused by tho deposit of solid matter in the Avon at tho mouth of tho Madras street sower. Ho was of opinion that the only remedy was the laying of sewage pipes through town with as little delay ns possible. The letter was received. From Mr G. S. Cooper, under secretary, thanking the Board for its suggestions in reference to uniformity of practice throughout the colony ae regarded certain matters authorised by the amended Public Health Act passed last session, and requesting the Board to furnish a rough draft of regulations on tho subject to bo made by tho Governor in Council.—The Chairman stated that after a conference with the medical officer ho had forwarded certain suggestions as to the proper keeping of dairies, inspection of them, sale of milk, &o. He read them to the Board, and they were formally approved. From the Registrar of Canterbury Colic-,-.:*, forwarding a resolution to the effect that the head master of the Boys’ High School and the lady principal of the Girls’ High School had boon instructed to afford facilities to the public vaccinator, and also to recommend vacoinat : on to the pupils of the school. Received and ordered to be acknowledged with thanks.— From Dr. Townond, stating ho would be happy to comply with the new regulations as to reporting infectious diseases. Received. — From the Town Clerk of tho By'cnham Borough Council, calling attention to a large quantity of stagnant water lying in some old clay pits between tho railway and Shakespeare road, and also to the foul state of a boxed drain on the south side of the railway. Referred to the chairman, with power to act. — From Mr E, Wilson, in reference to tho condition of a drain between Harper and Durham streets. The matter was referred to the chairman. Accounts to tho amount of £9l 13s 8d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.