THE TYPHOID FEVER

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8746, 31 July 1889, Page 4

THE TYPHOID FEVER

In our remarks of yesterday on the serious prevalence of typhoid fever in Wellington at the present time we ; mentioned that' some sus-

picion had been cast on the milk supply, it being conjectured that this might have been the vehicle of infection. The fact of eight fever cases having occurred in a single street, and two at Government House itself, not unnaturally suggested that a common origin was probable, and that this might be—as in so many instances elsewhere—the milk supplied for domestic consumption. The idea having been suggested that the milk might he accountable for the mischief, his Excellency Lord Onslow made yesterday a personal inspection of the suspected dairy. The result of a very minute examination was virtually its entire exoneration. The dairyman in question, Mr Hall, occupies what used to be the Government House farm until Sir William Jervois gave it up. All the cows run on the tops of the hills round the house. They obtain water for drinking from the pure springs on the hills which are higher than the surrounding land, and cannot therefore be contaminated by drainage from the neighbouring places. The cows are only brought into the shed to be milked, and any manure is quickly taken away, while the liquid flows out

and filtrates at once on to the surrounding ground beloto the place where the cattle drink. The dairy was found to be clean, sweet, and well-ventilated ; and the milk vessels are thoroughly cleaned with scalding water and soda after each time of using. His Excellency, who has some special knowledge of the subject, derived thorough acquaintance with the County system of inspection in Surrey, and through the celebrated model dairy which Lady Onslow established on the family estate, is satisfied that the milk supplied to Government House had nothing whatever to do with the illness of Lord Cranley and Captain Savile. It has been, we believe, conclusively ascertained that the Government House drainage is quite satisfactory. We must therefore look abroad for the fans et orifjo mali, and we fear this must be sought in the insanitary condition of the city in several respects, notably in its lack of a systematic sewerage sj'stem and in its overcrowded cemetery which drains into the town. On the other hand, it is right to mention that the municipal authorities hold strongly a different view. They sent two inspectors yesterday all round the Thorndon end of the city to investigate the alleged prevalence of typhoid fever and to seek predisposing causes. The inspectors report that they could not find any cases of typhoid in Molesworth-street, Charlotte-street, Frasers-lane, Hill-street or the neighbouring thoroughfares. Th y state further that they discovered nothing likely to cause illness excepting two closets which were directly connected with the water - services, whereas the city by - laws provide that a cistern must intervene, because if the water should be cut off owing to a “burst” or other mishap, sewer-gas is liable to enter the -water • pipes, failing interception by a cistern. The offenders in these cases are to be prosecuted. The Mayor, however, believes that the present prevalence of typhoid fever in the city has been exaggerated. In view of the statements made by Dr Gillon (referred to at the Hospital Trustees’ meeting yesterday) and of the fact that within a few days two prominent citizens have been carried off by typhoid fever, we are unable to adopt his Worship’s optimistic view of the matter. The situation seems to us to call loudly for thorough sanitary reform in this city.