Mr. Spear's report to the Local Government Board upon a prevalence of typhoid fever locally ascribed to certain slaughter-house premises at New Brighton, near Birkenhead.

  • Spear, John.
Date:
1889
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Mr. Spear's report to the Local Government Board upon a prevalence of typhoid fever locally ascribed to certain slaughter-house premises at New Brighton, near Birkenhead. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    OFFICIAL COPY. Mr. Spear’s Report to the Local Government Board upon a Prevalence of Typhoid Fever locally ascribed to certain Slaughter-house Premises at New Brighton, near Birkenhead. George Buchanan, Medical Department, March 5th, 1889. -. In October 1887 complaints were forwarded to the Board respecting the carrying on of the business of slaughtering in a populous locality of'New Brighton, in the Wallasey Urban Sanitary District; and it was alleged that typhoid fever had broken out in consequence of the emanations from a certain slaughter-house there situated. Asked to report upon the subject, the Medical Officer of Health affirmed that the business was carried on without nuisance, and was unconnected with the appearance of typhoid fever. Complaints, numerous and urgent, continued, however, to be received from residents of the locality, and in July 1888 it was reported that typhoid fever had again broken out, and was, in the opinion of the complainants, clearly traceable to effluvia arising from the slaughter¬ house premises. Again, in a letter dated September 14th, 1888, it was alleged, “ the neighbourhood was free from fever previous to slaughtering; “ since then it has not been clear, except from October 1887 to June 1888, “ when slaughtering was not allowed.” In view of these representations I was instructed to visit the locality and make inquiries on the spot. On the 13th November I attended at the Wallasey Local Board Offices. The Chairman and several of the members of the Local Board, with their legal adviser, Medical Officer of Health, and Surveyor, were present, as well as the occupier of the slaughter-house, and certain of the complainants with their solicitor. The circumstances of the case, together with the opinions that had been formed on either side, were, as far as possible, elucidated,—a task in which I received every assistance from the legal gentlemen present,— and I then proceeded with my own personal investigation. I will deal first with the slaughter-house, the special subject-matter of complaint, and then with the fever prevalence. For many years slaughtering has been carried on on the premises in question, but between 1876, or thereabouts, and 1883 there was an interval, and hence at the later date the business could only be re-established with the concurrence of the Sanitary Authority ; indeed, in 1878 a conviction was obtained before the Justices against the then occupier for slaughtering without licence. In November 1883 the present tenant commenced slaughtering. Complaints were soon made to the Sanitary Authority, and the Medical Officer of Health and Surveyor were required to report upon the subject. Both expressed themselves (May 1884) not unfavourably, on the whole, in regard to the construction and condition of the premises, but both took exception to the situation; . . . “but the situation is objectionable,” the Medical Officer of Health reported, “ because so closely surrounded by dwelling-houses, to the occupants of which the slaughter-house may prove a nuisance.” . LONDON: PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTT. And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYrRE and SPOTTISWOODE, East Harding Street, Fleet Street, E.C;. for,' ADAM and CHARLES BLACK, 6, North Bridge, Edinburgh ; or f HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., 104, Grafton Street, Dublin. 1~ No. 38. Price Sixpence. ^“5«Li^j££«22* vl ... .'C V4E }. La R ARY