Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

• MACHYNLLETH. MEDICAL OFFICER'S ANNUAL REPORT. At the last meeting of the Dolgelley Urban Dis- trict Council, Dr A. O. Davies, medical officer of health, presented his annual report, which was as follows :—Forty-four births were registered during the year, consisting of 24 males and 20 females giving a birthrate of 24-09 upon the population ac- cording to the census or 1831, viz., 1826, The births for the last five years, taking the popula- tion at 1826, was as follows :—1895, 56 1896, 63; 1897, 54; 1898, 50; 1899, 63 1900, 44. As would be seen, there was a decrease of 19 births in 1900 as compared with the preceding year. The number of deaths for the year were 27, making a death-rate of 14.7 or on the estimated population of 2,200. a deathrate of 12 27. Six of the deaths occurred at the workhouse, one at the hospital, and one person who died suddenly, having been in town but a few days, upon whom a coroner's inquest was held. The causes of death were, phthisis 2, pneumonia, 2, bronchitis 2, heart disease 2, affections of braitr2, old-age 6, convulsion 1, affections of stomach 2, liver disease 1, erysipelas 1, tumours 1, Bright's disease 1, prematurity 1, apoplexy 1, coroner's inquest 1. The death-rate 1 amongst children was 2-1 on a population of 1826, and 1.8 as taken at 2,200. It was gratifying that there had been only four deaths amongst children these being infants of four months and under. There were no deaths between 1 and 15 years and only 2 between 15 and 25. Between 65 and 84, there were 8 deaths, and over 84, four deaths. Only two cases of infectious diseases were notified during the year. One was a case of enteric fever, the cause of which was traced to drinking water in an outlying district. The other was a case of puerperal fever. As already mentioned, he was glad to say there were no deaths from these diseases. This he ventured to say, whould compare favourably with any town in England or Wales. He would draw their particular attention to the fact that no deaths had occurred from zymotic diseases for the last three years, which was all the more striking when they bore in mind that some of the outly- ing districts, of which Macbynlleth was the market town, were visited by severe outbreaks of diphtheria and scarlet fever, which in some instances termin- ated fatally. He was glad to be able to report the building of a private slaughter-house, plans of which were submitted and approved of by the Council, and which was kept in a clean and in a satisfactory condition. Notwithstanding this, there was a great want of a properly constructed public slaughter-house, as slaughtering was still carried on in unauthorised and unsuitable places. He regretted to say that the byelaws affecting the situation of pigstyes had been:complied with in only very few instances, but he hoped that during the coming year this matter would receive their attention. He could but repeat and urge upon the townspeople the necessity of allowing a free and copious supply of' fresh air into their rooms, particularly bedrooms, by opening the windows. Cowhouses were in a fairly satisfactory condition. Little or no attention had been paid to this most important adjunct to the health of the town, and he would urgently press the council to see that the defect was remedied. By so doing, it would to a great extent ensure freedom from dampness in the houses. With reference to the milk supply, he had no complaint to make. He should like to impress upon milk vendors the absolute necessity of continuing to exercise every possible precaution against contamination- The most marked of the improvements affected by the council was in regard to privies. For many years the accommadation was most deplorable, and what privies there were, were unsuitable. This defect was being remedied by the conversion of privies into water closets (24 having been converted during the year) and by the erection of new closets, and he trusted that in the course of the coming year this good work would continue. It was absolutely necessary that they should be connected with the main water supply. The nuisances caused by the camping of the gipsies on the common remained unabated, and he still urged the Council to adopt the suggestion made in his last year's report. The stench rising from the sheep pens and other places where animals were grouped on fair days was a nuisance. He thought that steps should be taken to provide a smithfield, whereat to hold fares. The town was to be congratulated on its excellent and plentiful water supply. He was pleased to report that the in- habitants were realizing the necessity of such a water supply at their very doors. Several new drains had been laid and old ones had been reno- vated. A great number of open gratings had ''been replaced by stench traps, and ventilatir.g shafts had been put up in suitable places. The work of carting house refuse was let out by con- tract, and was satisfactorily carried out, the refuse being carted three times a week, and deposited at a isafe distance beyond the limits of the town. Plans of 24 new houses were submitted during the year, and approved of by the council. Most of them had been completed and tbuilt in accordance with the Council's byelaws, which stipulated that npnpssarv recard should be Daid to the comfort. convenience, and health of the occupiers. With reference to the side walks, pedestrians still suffered great inconvenience, and in some instances danger from the imperfect flagging of the side- walks. In thanking the Council and the officials for the courtesy extended to him during the year, he said that the absence of deaths from fevers, the decreased mcrtality amongst children, and the advanced age at which nearly half the total deaths occurred were strong evidence of the healthiness of the town." The Chairman :said that he had listened with great pleasure to the medical officer's report. He thought that it was a great pleasure to all of them to see that the town was in a better state of health than ever before. The figures submittedjby the medical officer showed that there was a decrease in the amount of disease in the town. They were pleased to note that the number of deaths was as low as 27, and deducting eifelit of these which were not Machynlleth cases in reality, it would reduce the number to nineteen. The deaths had come down from 19'7 in 1899 to 12 in 1900. Mr Richard Rees said he thought that that was the lowest death rate ever recorded in Machynlleth. It would be a good thing to advertise the town by next year. If people wanted to live long let them go to Machynlleth. He had great pleasure in con- gratulating Dr Davies upon his excellent report. He proposed that the report be printed as usual, and this was agreed to. Mr Richard Gillart proposed a vote ot tnanKS to .he Medical Officer for his report. Mr Evan Reese seconded the proposition, which was passed. The meeting then terminated.

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G1LBY'8 WINES AND SPIRITS. New DRAPERY GOODS DANIEL THOMAS IS NOW SHOWING A; CHOICE SELECTION OF NEW GOODS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT. NOTE ADDRESS— 22 & 24, LITTLE DARKGATE STREET ABERYSTWYTH I Business Notices. WILLIAM PKOBIN. RELIANCE HOUSE zsnrtl Meat -M.rii,t AND IS, PIER STREET, Working Watchmaker, Lapidary, and Jeweller. Purchaser of Brilliants, Old Gold and Silver, Modern and Antique Plate. CASTLE HOUSE, ABERAYRON. I m Toll 11 Hugh Jones, The oldest established Draper in Aberayrcn. t LARGE STOCK OF DRAPERY OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. FOR WELSH MATERIALS Of all description unsurpassed in the Town MODERN SHOWROOMS. Ladies and Gentlemen are respectfully requested to visit the above Establishment. They will be surprised at the variety of the Stock. FOR REAL WELSH FLANNEL jAND WOOLLEN GOODS GO TO J. & E. EVANS, GENERAL DRAPERS AXD MILLINERS, — 4 0 — GREAT DARIvGATE STREET BERYS-TWYTH F BENNISON, FISHMONGER AND FRUITERER, LISBURNE HOUSE, TERRACE ROAD. FRESH FISH DAILY FRESH FISH DAILY CAUGHT BY OUR OWN BOAT IN THE BAY. Albatross and Plover. FRESH SALMON FROM THE TEIFY, SEVERN, AND OTHER RIVERS. ICE always on hand. Homers' Clotted Cream and Cream Cheese. Fruit and Vegetables fresh daily BENMSON'S NEW AND COMMODIOUS POSTING ESTABLISHMENT, ( PORTLAND STREET, ABERYSTWYTH. CHAR-A-BANCS leaves Lisburne House, Terrace-road, at 10. 15 a.m. Daily for Devil's Bridge, Plynlimon, Llyfnant Valley, and other places of interest; also AFTERNOON DRIVES. Excursions made to Hafod, Taliesin's Grave, Monk's Cave, &c., &c. SPECIAL TERMS FOR PRIVATE PARTIES. Landaus, Victorias Waggonettes, Phsetons, Dog- carts, Irish Jaunting Car, Governess Cars, and Donkey Carriage for Children always on Hire. COMMODIOUS BICYCLE STORES. THE ROCK FOUNDRY MACHYNLLETH (Established 1869), A 13 EEN E-OPENED And Business Carried on as usual. TENDERING our best thanks to our Customers JL and Friends for their patronage in the past and soliciting same and their recommendation for the future. BALDWYN M. DAVIES- JOHN LLOYD & SONS, TOWN CRIERS, BILL POSTERS AND DISTRIBUTORS, HAVE the largest number of most prominent Posting Stations in all parts of Aberystwyth and District. Having lately purchased the business and stations of Aberystwyth Advertising and General Bill Posting Stations, tl .ey are able to take large contracts of every description. Over no Stations in the Town and District. Official Rill Posters to the Town and County Coun- cils, G.W.R. Co., Cambrian Railway Co., all the Auctioneers of tne Town and District, and other Public Bodie Cbe 44 Wtlsb Gazette1,9 IS ON SALE IN LONDON AT Messrs. W. H. EVERETT & SONS. Bell's Buildings, I Salisbury Square. LONDON, E.C. Mr. W. H. ROBERTS, Bookseller, io, Cecil Court, Charing Cross. BY POST 6s. 6d. A YEAR. < TAILORING ESTABLISHMENT, 13, PER STREET, ABERYSTWYTH DAVID JAMES. 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DOLGELLEY. MEDICAL OFFICER'S ANNUAL REPORT. THE TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS. The following is the annual report of Dr Hugh Jones, medical officer of health to the Dolgelley Urban District Council, read at the last meeting of that body,During the year there were registered 62 births-29 males and 33 females, being 25-1 per 1000 of the population. In 1899, the birth rate was 27.1, and the average rate for the five years, 1895--1899, was 22.1. The rate is Mow the usual average for England and Wales. The number of deaths regis- tered was 46 being 18-6 per 1000 persons living. Four deaths of residents were registered outside the district making the nett death rate 20 2. For 1899 the nett rate was 14.1 and the average for the five years 1895-1899 was 18-8. It is thus clear that the rate for last year was very much above I that for 1899 as well as above thc average for the five years. I would like to draw the particular attention of the Sanitary authority to this deplor- able fact as a strong inducement to do all in their power to improve the sanitary condition of their district, upon which the death rate so largely depends. To the 7 principal zymotic diseases were attributed 3 deaths, or at the rate of 1-2 per 1000 of the population. Of these one was caused by measles, one by diphtheria, and one by diarrhoea. It is not known that sanitary conditions have any direct influence upon the production of measles, but diphtheria and diarrhoea are diseases which generally point to defective sanitary surroundings. Among infants under one year of age were 6 deaths, or in the proportion of 96'7 per 1000 registered births. In 1899 the rate was 89'5, but the average for the five years-1895-99 was 186. The rate for this year is much below the usual average for England and Wales. The number of deaths among persons aged 65 and upwards was 26, or at the rate of 8 0 per 1000 of the population. It was pointed out by Dr Parsons in 1888 that among the inhabitants of Doltatley the proportion of persons beyond middle life is much above the average of the Kingdom at large, and that the mortality i* above the average among persons over 60 in pro- portion to the number of such persons living in the district, but I have not the data at hand for ascer- taining whether these same conditions still obtain in the district. The chief respiratory diseases, exclusive of phthisis, caused 9 deaths, being at the rate of 3'6 per thousand population. The damp. cold, and unventilated cottages, often without a firep'ace in the bedroom, of which there are so many in Dolgeiley, were described by Dr Parsons as being most unfavourable for dealing with these diseases. Five deaths were attributed, to phtbisis, being at the rate of 2 02 per 1000 population, which must be regarded as extremely high for a small urban district. This high rate is nearly always associated with dampness of dwelling houses together with defective ventilation. The Council would do much towards diminishing the mortality from consumption by insisting that the dwellings should be dry and well ventilated. In this very first annual report I should like in this connection to address a few words to the Council concerning the prevention of tuberculosis, a sub. ject which is at present agitatii g the whole country. It is now proved that consumption is a disease which is popularly known as catching i.e. the sufferer emits something which can produce the disease in another person. The germs of the disease are contained in the spit' of the patient. This expectoration is not dangerous until it gets dried, and then it is blown about in the air, and gains access to the mouth and nostrils of other persons. Hence, I would suggest that the Sanitary Authority should undertake, free of charge, the disinfection of houses in which a tuberculous patient has resided, together with the bedding, clothing,.and other articles capable of retaining the infection. Every consumptive should also be impressed with the importance of using a cup of some kind, containing some cheap disinfectant, such as carbolic acid (1 in 20), for receiving the spit. He should not be allowed io spit at random so as to become a danger to other people. Fresh air and sunshine in abundance are also very destructive to consumptive germs. The other chief sources of infection are the milk given by cows suffering from tuberculosis of the udder, and the meat from tuberculous animals. In a recent Harper lecture it was said that foremost amongst the measures for eradicating tuberculosis was the adoption throughout the country of regulations as to cowsheds, which will give our dairy cows a better chance of avoiding the infection of tubercul- osis during the term in which they are confined in sheds and byres. For these reasons I would recommend that this Sanitary Authority should make regulations under Section 13 of Dairies, Cow- sheds and Milk-shops (Order. The danger of the dissemination of tuberculosis by the use of meat from infected animals can be effectually obviated only by inspection of the carcases of all animals slaughtered for use as food. This can be most efficiently carried out in public slaughter-houses, and for this reason I regret, that this district is now without such an important means of protecting the public health, a defect which 1 hope the Council will see its way clear to remedy at no distant date. In a report on tuberculosis issued by the Council of the British Medical Association, the following recommendations are made:—1, That properly qualified meat inspectors should be appointed by all Urban District Councils, 2, That slaughter for gain except in a public slaughter-house should be prohibited after the provision of a public slaughter house. I am of ,opinion that the carrying out of these recommendations would con- tribute largely to the extermination of tuberculosis in the human subject througlioutthe country. There were notified during the year 18 cases of infectious disease, as follows:-Diphtheria, 9 cases; erysipelas, 1 case; scarlet fever, 5 cases; measles, 3 cases. Eight cases of diphtheria occurred in the district in the early part of the year before my appointment, but I learn from the death-returns that one of these cases proved fatal; beyond this I am not able to give any further particulars of the circumstances of these cases. The last case occurred in October, upon which I reported fully at the time to the Council. It will be remembered that the case occurred in a back-to-back house, in which con- segration through ventilation was not possible, and which was also in a filthy condition otherwise. There was a sink in a kind of back-kitchen, and this apartment was without means of light or venti- lation. The waste-pipe from this sink was not trapped or dis-connected, and was quite blocked in addition. The windows in the front of" the house were well-made, and admitted of being opened freely, but it was evident at the time of my visit that these had not been used at all as ventilators, s* that there was practically no escape for the sewer gas which was entering the house through this untrapped and blocked waste pipe. I pointed out to the Council that we had here the predisposing if not the actual causes of such a disease as diph- theria. The Authority attended to these defects, and isolation and disinfection were carried out as far as possible, and the Council is to be congratu- lated on the fact that no furthe"N^ases occurred im the district during the year. Five cases of scarlet fever occurred in the district and the first of these was in October. On investigation I discovered that the patient practically resided outside the district, and there was strong probability that the infection was thus imported. It was not possible to trace the source of infection in the other 4 cases. Isolation and disinfection were insisted upon as far at possible in all cases, but the Council will recollect that I several times attended the meetings of the Sanitary Authority and drew attention to the great difficulties we bad to cope' with in isolating these cases in the small and confined dwellings in which they occurred, and I strongly urged the desirability of carrying out at Dr. Parson's recommendation that the authority should possess a place for the isolation of cases of infectious disease,, and an apparatus for the disinfection of infected articles of clothing and bedding. Three cases of measles occurred during the year, one of which proved fatal in February from pneumonia, which is one of the sequels that frequently attend this disease. The next case occurred in July, in a child/who had, a few days previously, come into the district from London, and who evidently brought the infection with her. One other case followed in the same house from direct contact, but beyond this we succeeded in preventing the further spread of the disease, which was certainly a very fortunate and happy result. It is noteworthy that no case of typhoid fever occurred, and I think the condition of the public water supply, as well as of the sewers, on the whole, contributed to this. It should also be stated that there was a very severe and exten- sive outbreak of influenza in the district in the early part of the year, and which was directly responsible for six deaths. The disease assumed quite a malignant type in several instances, as eviden ce(I by the existence of hyperpyresnia or excessive high temperature. This epidemic cer- tainly affected not only the mortality but also the sickness rates, and the high death rate is to be accounted for to some extent by the virulence of this epidemic. The sickness rate in the district was so heavy at. this period on this account that it was necessary to close the elementary schools for some weeks as the attendance had dwindled so low. Influenza is a disease which, although not often fatal per' se, is still responsible for diminishing the powers of resistance of the community at large as to make the death rate from other causes much greater in consequence. The town has a public supply of water furnished by a company. The Sanitary Inspector and I have made frequent in- spections and have reported to the Council. Throughout the vear the supply has been sufficient and- continuous. We carefully examined the source, and there was no evidence that the water was exposed to any risk of pollution whatsoever. All the water was derived from Llyn Cynwch, and it. is impossible in my opinion to procure a more desirable source. There are no buildings, dwellings, qr cultivated land within the watershed, and the surrounding land is rough and wild and fitted only for pasturage. If the lake was fenced, as I sug- gested, it would be still further protected against the possibility of slight organic pollution as the result of pasturage. There are no registered com- mon lodging houses in the district at present. Ac the request of the Council I several times reported uuon a house which it was sought to register as such, but.- which was in my opinion quite unfit for such a purpose. The Council have now taken steps to close this house, as it is quite unfit for human habitation in its present, condition. A well con- structed and well conducted common lodging house is ■ much needed in the district. The main sewers are constantly well flushed. Some of the smaller branch sewers still require better means of fy shing. The sewage is discharged into the river Wnion, some distance below the town. I have advised that the outfall should be taken still further fr< m the town. as the present situatiootnight prove objectionable in prolonged periods of drought, and I am glad to state that: the Council are about to pfü,'np;l to carry this out. If the improvement is carried out, I am of opinion that that the plan would be free from any danger to the public health z, as there are no dwellings between this point and the tidal water which could suffer in any way. I have many times called attention to the defective condition of house drains and water closets. In many of these the closet apartments were without air or light, and the soil pipe was not prolonged into a ventilating shall as required by the bye-laws. Many were out of repair, and were constructed on the old" container system, which was most ob- jectionable. In all these cases the Sanitary Auth- ority took action on my recommendation, and re- quested that the apartments should be ventilated by a window opening into the outer air, and that the soil-pipes .-h.uiid be provided with the further means ot ventilation which I have referred to. As to water closeis nut. duly supplied with water, I have advised that under the Public Health Amend- ment Act, 1890, Sect. 157 of 1875 Act is extended so as to allow of further bye-laws which require water to be adequately supplied to a closet. I have pointed out that the second paragraph in by e- law No. 69 practically prohibits the use of basins dependant solely on hand flushing. These have received considerable attention, and have been im- proved and widened in several places. This is im- portant as regards public health, as the houses in llJany places are Gram ped J'nr air space. Great at- tention is also paid by the authority to surface cleanliness. This most important matter has re- ceived great attention. Several plans of new dwellings are submitted to the Council and care- fully considered. lteel that I cannot lay too much stress upon the urgent necessity of insisting tbat all the provisions of the bye-laws are complied with in this respect. It is of viiitl importance to the public health of the district that the errors of con- struction which have prevailed in the past should not be perpetuated in i lie iutule. The Sanitary Inspector and I have made a house to house visita- tion of some parts of the district, and some im- provements have been carried out. But some dwellings are so dilapidated that a re-arrangement and re-construction are necessary, especially in I Lombard-street and Ivy-court. I have suggested ■ t that these should be dealt with under Part I. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act of 1890. I hope that the Authority will be able to carry out a small improvement scheme of this kind this year. This would be a step which would conduce natur- ally to the physical and moral welfare of the district. On the motion of Mr Edward Williams, seconded by Mr Robert Davies, the Cliaii man, Messrs John Edwards and E. W. Evans were appointed to con- sider the report in detail, and to bring any special points before the Council. RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. This Council met on Saturday February 9th when there were present Mr John Evans, Barmouth (chairman), presiding; Messrs Meyrick Roberts, Llanfihangel; Ellis Williams, Llanaber; Ellis P. Jones, Llanddwyvveis; Robert Hughes, Llanfach- retii John Roberts and John Edwards, Brithdir; Cadwaladr Roberts, Llangelynin Morris E. Wil- liams, Llanenddwyn and Owen Jones, Llanymaw- ddwy with W. R. Davies (clerk), W. R. Richard- son (assistant clerk), and Dr Hugh Jones (medical officer). SYMPATHY. Before proceeding with the business, the Chair- man proposed a vote of sympathy with the King, Queen, and Royal Family in their bereavement upon the death of Queen Victoria, and also express- ing their allegiance and loyalty to the Throne. The proposition was passed unanimously, all the members standing. LLANEGRYN WATbR SUPPLY. The Assistant Clerk said he had received no communication from the Parish Council with refer- ence to the Llanegryn water supply, and the Clerk was instructed to again write to that body. LLWYNGWRIL WATER SUPPLY. The Committee appointed to consider this matter had met at Llwyngwril, and had submitted their report, which the Council had accepted. Three samples had been sent to be analysed and the analyst's report was reud at the previous meeting. Further samples had been sent, and a supplement- ary report received from the analyst, in which he stated that the water contained no minerals of a poisonous nature, nor any contaminous matter. In his opinion it was suitable for drinking purposes. The Medical Officer said that the report was very satisfactory. Mr D. Gillart wrote stating that the report of- the committee upon the proposed new source was satis- factory Steps were being taken with a view to obtaining the consent of the landlords through whose land the supply would have to be conveyed. Mr Cadwaladr Roberts proposed that the Clerk write to Mr Gillart stating that the Council were disappointed at not receiving the plans at this meeting, and requesting that they should be sent to a special meeting of the Council to be held that day fortnight, The proposition was agreed to. FINANCE. Mr Meyrick Roberts said that at the Board of Guardians a statement of accounts was received showing the balance at the bank. But at the Council no such account was received, and they did not know how much money they had to their credit. He proposed that such account be presented periodically. The proposition was unanimously agreed to. SORE THROAT AT CORRIS. The Medical Officer said that there was one matter which he had not entered in his report. He had received a letter from Dr Jones, Corris, stating that there were several cases of sore throat at that place, the cause of which was a cesspool which had been left open. The inspector bad reported on the cesspool previously. The Clerk said that from information he had received the drains of many houses emptied their contents into this cesspool. The Council decided that the work of abating this danger to the public health be done by the Council, and that the responsible persons be charged with the cost. MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT. The MedicaFOnicer stated that on February 4th, he examined Gwndwn Ucha in the parish of Llan- elltyd. This house was in a very serious state of dilapidation, and was quite unfit for habitation. It was built upon an excavated site, and the walls were in contact with the soil to a considerable height. These walls were for the most part con- structed without mortar, and in one place were bulging to a considerable extent. The sleeping apartments upstairs bad no ceilings or fireplaces, and the roof, which was very low, was also so defective as to allow daylight to be seen through it. The floor of these apartments was also so bad and rotten as to render the work of inspection somewhat dangerous to life and limb. Water found its way into the kitchen in bad weather, and the want of eavestrougbs contributed still fur- ther to the dampness of the house. The dairy had a verv defective floor, and was without proper ventilation, as the window was not made to open, rhere was no privy accommodation of any kind He appealed to the council to take proceedings to ilose this house immediately unless something was done without delay, as the condition of this house was dangerous to the lives of the persons who occupied it. He had never before in his exper- ience of sanitary work seen anything so disgrace- fully bad. It was sad to think that human beings were allowed in a Christian country to occupy such houses, in a cold and mountainous district like this. At Gwndwn Isaf things were better, but the walls were so bad as to make the house unwhole- some. The bedrooms had no fireplaces, but were provided with ceilings, which were tumbling down in some places. He also reported that in company of the inspector he visited Dyffryn, and with some members of the Parish Council had examined several proposed sources of water supply for the village. One of the sources was a strong spring near Llwyngwion. This spring was so situated as to render it capable of being efficiently protected against any serious organic pollution. If suitable means were adopted to protect, and if the gauging were satisfactory, he would be disposed to look upon this as a very desirable source. They had also examined another stream above Meifod Isat. The surround ingsbere also appeared to be satisfactory, but some means would have to be taken to prevent the fouling of the water by cattle. There was a strong volume of water in this stream. Other sources were inspected, but were not carefully examined on this occasion. The Clerk was instructed to send an extract of the Medical Officer's report to the owner of Gwndwn Ucha, asking if she was prepared to carry out the needed repairs, and to reply by the next Council meeting, which would be held in a month. Yictoline is strongly recommended as an effective remedy for toothache, neuralgia, and headache.