The Wolverhampton and Midland Counties Advertiser. — 1876-05-20 (Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England)

WEDNESBURY LOCAL BOARD. OF HEALTH.  On Monday last the usual fortnightly meeting of the above Board was held at their offices. Holyhead. road. Richard Williams Esq. presided. There were also present Messrs. Blackwood, Perry, Stevenson, Saunders, Naylor, HitAien, Knowles, James Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Bliikonore, and Joseph Smith, clerk. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the clerk and signed by the chairman.  THE FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT recommended tho printing of the usual fortnightly accounts.  MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT  stated that 16 deaths had been registerel from diseases of miscellaneous types, with the exception of one whooping cough which is the only death by zymotic diseases. Four deaths had been recorded from violence. The death rate for the past fortnight was 15.1 per 1,000 from natural causes, and including accidental deaths 19.7 per 1,000 from all causes. The health of the town at the present time continues satisfactory, there is no prevalence of any epidemic disease. Several inspections had been made of late. At Ladbury's-lane, isolated cases of fever have hovered about Harpers Buildings for some time. One cause of disease was believed to be the existence of s large open midden, containing a 1111;813 of fcecal matter, most of it in a liquid form, which the medical officer would wish to be emptied at once, and deodorised with chloride of lime, as unless this be speedily done, warm weather may supervene and bring about disease. He had also inspected Fosters building, Portway-lane, where there are six or seven houses in a filthy and overcrowded condition, and are unfit for human habitation. The inspector accompanied the medical officer in the examination of this locality,—one house in Ladbury's-lane, kept by Humpage, admits lodgers, anl upon enquiry this place had not been registered as a common lodging house. The inspector's attention had been drawn to this matter. The births have numbered 46-23 males and 23 females. 16 deaths from natural causes, and four from other causes. The Chairman said the report was rather singular in one respect, vi ~ the deaths from bronchitis, which appeared to him to be the most serious matter medical men had to deal with in this weather. He had no doubt it was due to the east wind, and it should be a warning to people to guard against the foe, which is one of the greatest enemies to the populace. It appeared also singular there should be four deaths from violence, including one case of suicide in the town. The ages of these four cases ranged from 45 to 56, so that they had not the experience of youth or the fickleness of old age. Dr. Blackwood referred to the case of death, resulting from a fall downstairs, and said that when a person fell downstairs the question was generally asked " was he drnnk ?" Many a good man has fallen down stairs and been killed, and looking at them in the town, it was a marvel there are no more cases of death from that cause. He did nnt know whether the Board had any control over the internal arrangements, but a recommendalion from the Board would probably have the effect of having railings put to them. The staircases, even in some of the best houses, were so dangerously narrow and steep he would prefer going np and down the rigging of a ship, as he would have something to hold by. The Chairman said he was much obliged to the Doctor for drawing the attention of the Board to the fact, but did not know that the Board could deal with it otherwise than recommend the owners and builders of homes to do something for the safety of the people, but the Board could not compel them. He hoped that if anyone then present was concerned in the building of houses they would take care that the subject had their attention.