BOARD OF HEALTH.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2174, 22 December 1875, Page 2

BOARD OF HEALTH.

A Fatal Case of Scarlet Fever.

The local Board of Health was called together yesterday, afternoon upon the; receipt potificjatiqn from Df Leth-; bridge thatacase of scarlet fever:existed: in the township. His Worship the Mayor, having just returned from Auckland, was present, with Councillors Eenshaw, Wilson'and Ehrenfried; also Drs. Fox and Lethbridge, and Sub-Inspector Bullen.

The medical gentlemen reported that in company with Mr Bullen they had yi sited the Empire Hotel, the premises where the case occurred, and had at once' given directions for the isolation of the case, and also ot the rest of Mr McDowell's family which, had. been at once carried out. The premises had been inspected and. they would bear favorable comparison with any in the township. It was also stated that the child attacked •was dead. —/>•>■_. -,■:.;■■.- ,>. h;-^ .^hmi 'la '

At the request of the Mayor the medical gentlemen agreed to draw up a number ofi_suggestions or sanitary-rules for the guidance of the community, which would be furnished in time to advertise the 3ame. -: '-■-■ ; :: >

The question of the erection of a fever hospital was then introduced, and Drs. Fox and Lethbridge were asked to express an opinion upon the subject. For this purpose they retired for consultation, and upon returning to the Board stated it as their opinion that there was an urgent necessity for the erection of a fever hospital. A site'had been agreed upon, but until the other medical gentlemen on the Thames had been consulted, they would refrain from stating more particularly with reference' to the proper place. They would suggest further that £100 should be placed at the disposal of the medical gentlemen of the Thames, and from among themselves -they would appoint two as an executive committee to carry out the proposed wojk.: ; The Mayor suggested that the Council would perhaps|be better able to carry out the-work, if the medical men would furnish an idea as to the proper description of a building for the purpose:'".' Tenders could be called for by advertisement, and he felt confident no time would be lost._ Mr ;Macdonaid that while in Auckland he had seen His Honor the Superintendent, and * had' mentioned the subject of the probability of scarlet fever visiting, the Thames, and,had obtained a sum of £200 for the purpose of providing means to prevent, as much as possible, the disease spreading, and taking whatever steps'were thought advisable. He would also telegraphy to the. Superintendent requesting him to bring into'force certain section^ of the Act w.hieh.wquld place the. power in the hands* "of the Board to take promptly whatever action was found

necessary,

Dr Lethbridge said the only object the medical men had in making the suggestion for their taking the supervision was that no delay should take place. Mr Ehrenfried also agreed that the Council would be much the abler persons, having more experience in such matters, to have a suitable building erected,. if . the medical men would 1 suggest' the proper 'sort of a structure. Plans could then be procured and no time need be. lost- He that if the Mayor was "authorised" to expend the amount required, he could act in conjunction with the medical men, and see the matter at once attended to.

The motion pf.^M.r. Eenshaw, that the Mayor be authorised to act with the medical men in taking all necessary steps for the erection of a fever hospital, was seconded by Mr Wilson and carried. ..Dr..Box stated that aimeeting of the medical practitioners ©n the Thames would be held that evening, aud the result pf their deliberations in 'thevmatter of the rules for public safety, and the most suitable place and form of hospital, would be communicated to His Worship the Mayor. This concluded the business.