The Potteries Examiner : — 1871-08-05 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

THE POTTERIES EXAMINER-SATI7RDAY, AUGUST  BIIRSLEM BOARD OF HEALTH.  The monthly meeting was held on Wednesday, in the Town Hall, F. Tennant, Esq., chief bailiff, •  presiding. There were also present Meagre. G. Wigley, T. Hughes, R. Gilmore, J. Vernon, J. Brindley, and J. Hope. Mr. Hales read a letter from Mr. Edwards, of Dalehall, saying he should be happy to contribute £lO towards a memorial to the memory of the late Mr. Lowndes. After some discussion, in whieh Mr. Wigley took part, opposing the idea of the Board, aa a Boar,Lgiving towards a testimonial, it appeared to be the general feeling of those present that it would be better for the members to contribute, if they desired, privately. A letter was also read from the family of the late Mr. Lowndes, expressive o# their grateful feelings on the receipt of the resolution of condolence. • letter was read from Messrs. Tonikinson, solicitors, Bunslem, with reference to the general district rate. They were of opinion that the Hoard could not levy an additional rate for the district of Rushton Grange, during the current year, for the purpose of making the whole rate uniform.—Mr. Hales said there was a resolution in the books, of May 11th, 1853, with reference to the clerk, which would have to be rescinded. Notice of motion for rescinding the same was given.—The Finance Committee's report was received and adopted, as also the Highways and Lighting Committees. The Medical Officer reported that within the past month there had been registered 88 births and 35 deaths, being of the former 41*, and of the latter 16f per thousand. Amongst other fatal cases, seven have been ascribed to affections of the respiratory organs, two to scarlatina, and one to suicide from jumping down the shaft of a coalpit. Fifteen in this obituary have been children under five years of age. Two cases of modified small-pox in young men after vaccination have occurred, the first one in a young man from HOZley, who was OD a visit to relatives at Euratom, and the second one at Brownhills. The first one ' has returned to Hanley, quite convalescent, and the one at Brownhills is progressing favourably. There has also been a case of confluent small-pox in a baby seven months old, belonging to itinerant parents lodging in Pleasant street. This latter case is now quite convalescent, • and he might add that the child had not been vaccinated. He had not learned of any other case in the district. Accompanied by the Inspector he had visited the house, 99, High street, occupied by Joseph Hall, a widower, with a family. Hall and his family were in a wretched state of filth,and devoid of the necessaries for health and comfort. Their state was such that Ilte thought it would be a mercy to remove them to the workhouse compulsorily, for their present state was such as to endanger both the health of themselves and their neighbours. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that during the past month the general inspection of the town had been carried out, and the nuisances found removed, as far as the means at hand would permit. Allusion was made to the house in the medical officer's report, No. 98, High street. Unfortunately there were several other houses in a similar condition. The slaughtor-houses, etc., and petroleum stores have been looked after, as also the public bakehomes and workshops, and the schooling of the half-time children has been attended to. The only reasonable way of abating the nuisance from the drains of the houses in Melbourne street, the property of H. Haywood, Esq., was to connect the drainage of the houses with the town sewer, which passes dose by. The question with reference to the drainage of the house. in Melbourne street was referred to the Sewerage Committee, and the Board's attention having been called to the state of the family living in High street, it was resolved that the same be referred to the Nuisance Committee. In the report of the Gas Inspector occurred the following ,—The company now think they have discovered the cause of the excessive quantity of the impurity hitherto found in the gas. Should this supposition prove correct, they will shortly be able toreduce the amount to the London average. The report was received and adopted.