Dr. Airy's report to the Local Government Board on an outbreak of diphtheria at Great Dunmow / [Hubert Airy].

  • Airy, Hubert, 1838-1903.
Date:
1883
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Dr. Airy's report to the Local Government Board on an outbreak of diphtheria at Great Dunmow / [Hubert Airy]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in danger of pollution from soakage of filth through the porous soil. The family (A.) first affected with diphtheria were supplied with good water from an artesian well at the brewery where the father was employed. At Church End there is a spout of good water, which rises in the hill side above. Many of the better houses have waterclosets, which in some cases are connected with the sewers, in others with cesspools on the premises. The cottages generally have common privies. The contents of the pits are removed from time to time for use on the gardens or are taken by farmers. At the time of my visit the Dunmow Rural Sanitary District was without a Medical Officer of Health, Mr. Baldwin (a local practitioner) having left, and a successor having not yet been appointed. The office was formerly very* efficiently held by Dr. W. Armistead, of Cambridge, at a salary of 120L, of which half was repaid by the Bpard. In 1881 the Sanitary Authority declined to re-appoint Dr. Armistead, and appointed Mr. F. M. Williams, assistant to Mr. Clapham, at a salary of 65/., the Board allowing no repayment. Mr. Williams was succeeded in 1882 by Mr. T. A. Baldwin, also assistant to Mr. Clapham, at the same salary. In the present year the salary has been reduced to 501., and a proposal to appoint to the post one of the district medical officers, residing near the northern border of the district, is at present under considera¬ tion. The duties of Inspector of Nuisances are intelligently and efficiently performed by Mr. J. Hamilton, of Great Dunmow. His salary also has been reduced. 2nd July 1883. HUBERT AIRY. RECOMMENDATIONS. 1. The Sanitary Authority should take skilled engineering advice as to the best way of dealing with the sewage of the town, so as to abate the nuisances at present existing in connexion therewith. 2. The nuisance caused by the large pond near the National School should be abated. APPENDIX. List of Cases of Diphtheria in Dunmow Rural Sanitary District. Families attacked. Cases. C. K. O. P. -! 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Age. 9 7 8 8 9 5 Adult 6 8 6 9 7 Adult 2 13 6 10 7 2-i- 6 14 12 9 3 Adult 12 6 9 3 1 8 13 11 Adult Do. Do. 11 Sex. Residence. id School and Class. Date of Attack. Date of Death. Remarks. m. Great Dunmow Do. Do. - Little Dunmow Great Canfield Great Dunmow Do. Do. - - Felstead Great Dunmow Taverner’s Green, Hat¬ field Broad Oak. Do. - - Do. Great Dunmow - ■{ i •{ •{ Do. Do. Do. Felstead N.4 N. 3’ N. 2 N.4 n L. D. G.C. N.4 N.4 N. 1’ F. N.l N. 4’ P H. H. H. H. N. Inf. N. 4 N.4 Private Private B.and N. F. 1883. Jan. 22. Later. Jan. 29. Feb. 4. Later. Later. Feb. 6. Feb. 12. Feb. 6. Feb. 17. Feb. 18. Mar. 20. Mar. 29. Mar. 25. Apr. 2. Apr. 16. Apr. 19. Apr. 27. May 17. Apr. 22. Apr. 23. Apr. 23. Apr. 23. Apr. 29. Apr. 24. Apr. 24. May 1. May 5. May 6. Apr. 27. May 1. May 12. May 22. Apr. 10. May 10. Mav 10. = } Feb. 3. Feb. 9. j Feb. 1$. Feb. 22. } Apr. 4. j Mar. 29. Apr. 9. Apr. 23. Apr. 30. Apr. 24. Apr. 25. Apr. 26. May 4. May 2. Apr. 26. May 10. May 1. May 16. May 19.1 ) May 12. An infant in this family had a very slight attack. Lived next door to B. at Dunmow Ford. Probably in personal communication with No. 3. Other cases of sore throat in this family. Mother had helped at B. when No. 3 died. Worked with No. 7, and drank from same mug. Swept floor at National School. Doubt as to nature of disease. Removed to ward at workhouse. Elder sister came home frem London convalescent from scarlet fever on April 14. Helped nurse L. family. Lived next door to L„ developedscarlet fever rash and desquamation. Removed to ward at workhouse. Nursed P. , , At British School on week days and National School on Sundays. Doubt as to nature of disease. Excrement disposal. Administra¬ tion.