The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-09-22 00:00:00

BIDDPORT TOWN cOUNCIL AND LOCAL BOARD

OF HEALTH.
nunsr.—Preeent : The Mayor (Mr. C. Tucker), Aide:-
plan G. B. Ewen,. Councillors I). K Biddlecotnhe, H. N.
Coo, J. Houma], J. Dunham, H. Howell. T. H. Edmunds.
and C. Edmunds, ‘t itk the Town clerk (Mr. F. W.
(Mnilry).

MEDICAL OFFICER'S REFORF.
The TOW/I CLERK reed this Tart, as follow,:
To the Local Board the Borough of Bridport
Grerimuni,- I beg to prevent the statement of death. in the
sanitary district for the weond quarter of this year. The total
number ..in exceeds that of the corresponding quarter of law
year, but not to w great an extent as was the ease with rcaud
to the first quarter. In fact, but for the nine deaths f
warict fever, the numbers would be Identical. It Is true that
owlet fever le the only one of the dem of " preventible
Meows "which figures in the list, but It is she true that we
have had the disease amongst us for nearly it ....flaw Th.
camas of this are not far to seek. If proper Precautions be
taken in every inthirithal OM to prevent communication of th.
tiiK4llo to healthy persons, It would soots d
this it is necessary to deal in the strictest
manner with each single ewe. Whereas the fact is that --wu.
careless:law and neglect of the simpkw precautions tte.,^7oW
stantly exhibited by patients, or by those In charge .4 piak.m.l
children are allowed to go out Within • few dew .4 the
attacked, although they cannot be pronounced safe within
four to six week.; tenons In attendance oo the
Into their neighbours' houses. Into shops. be., en.
-..t0
thought as to washing the hands or changing the clothes ehich
may a few minces before have been in contact with an infected
patient. And neighboula and the children of neighbour, will
from mere curiosity visit the eick house and sick room, and It
mice become centres of Infection. Another cause of Ow persis-
tence of scarlet feter In this district, is, that the Weal n
being constantly brought in from adjacent parishes In many .4
which the disease boa been for a long time prevalent. I shouM
with to add with regard to the fatal cases that such a result is
very frequently due to the aftereffecta of the diseaw. The
~Won is very widely spread that there are two forms of this
dithibile, known ea " Scarlatina " and '' scarlet fever," and that
the former is comparatively barmiest both ss rt yedit. tower
.4 infection and Its effect upon the pereon suffering from it
There is no such difference scarlatina and scarlet fever mean
one and the same thing, and It cannot be too generally known
that the mildest case of this disewe Is every but as potent to
Infect as the most severe; and, further, that it Is just as likely
to entail severe if not fatal eorwequetwat, in the absence dears
and attention for a suflicieut tilth, after the disswe is apparently
over. I have known fatal mew In what the beginAng has
been so mild as to have been actually overlooked and forgotten.
The deaths from all can See, as reported to me. In the present
quarter up to this date number M. They include five from
wallet fever. A [maltase of enteric fever has been reported to
nic. All Piper tirocsothine hare been taken to endeavour to
Prevent it. spread. There is reason to believe that it WY Int-
ported Into the town.- I beg to remain. Gentlemen, your
obedient eervant, G. 11. Evass,
Medical Officer of Health.
Bridport, Sept. 11, 1874.