Extracts for Great Ayton from the Medical Officer of Health’s reports to Stokesley Rural District Council 1899- 1939

Introduction

The Medical Officer of Health (MOH) was obliged to present an annual report on environmental health issues and communicable diseases to the district Sanitary Committee. It was a legal requirement that these reports should be printed and be in the public domain.

The reports covered statistical data on birth and death rates, notifiable and communicable diseases, water supplies, sewerage and drainage, planning applications, food inspection, dairies and milk suppliers, slaughterhouses and scavenging. Periodically reports were included on the medical inspection of schoolchildren, census returns, river pollution, nursing, hospital provision, and town planning.

The MOH during this period was Dr W M Yeoman who was also in general practice in Stokesley. Joseph Mellanby Mease was the Inspector of Nuisances ( Sanitary Inspector) between 1899 and 1910 and he was succeeded by Frederick Bainbridge.

1899

Registered births 32 Deaths

28 giving a death rate of 16.21 per 1000 inhabitants ( Population of Great Ayton last census – 1727)

The high death rate in Great Ayton is due to the numbers of deaths over 65. Causes of death at all ages

Whooping cough 1 Dysentery 4 Phthisis 2

Bronchitis & pneumonia 3 Heart disease 5

Injuries 1

All other causes 12 Notifiable Diseases

During the year there were no notifiable cases at Ayton. Drainage

At Great Ayton the new Sewage Works are completed ,as also the new sewers, and have been in operation the last six months. The connection of drains and the re-drainage of private property has been systenmatically carried,and nearly the whole of the several premises completed. There have been complaints that a disagreeable odour comes from the ventilation openings. This only shows that the ventilation is proceeding satisfactorily and the gas is escaping into the air instead of forcing its way into the houses. The odour may have been worse on account of the dry summer,and therefore the flushing of the drains not so satisfactory as might have been.

Water

A sewage farm having been made for Great Ayton,the water in that village is now pure and the amount of sewage in the stream at Stokesley greatly lessened.

Housing

Plans have been presented and passed for: Mr WS Moody,erection of cart shed

Mr J Foster,new dwelling house.

Mr H Fawcett,new house and w.c. At Waterfall Terrace. Bishop Middleham Brewery Co., alteration to Royal Oak Inn.

1900 Deaths

35 giving a death rate of 20.26 per 1000

Deaths at Great Ayton are a good deal over the average. At Ayton there was an outbreak of influenza which accounted for two deaths and there was also one from erysipelas. Except for these causes, there is nothing especially to account for the increase. The deaths from zymotic diseases(infectious diseases) that have to be notified include the one from erysipelas at Ayton.

Causes of death at all ages Epidemic influenza 2 Diarrhoea 1

Enteritis 1 Erysipelas 1

Phthisis(Pulmonary tuberculosis) 1 Other TB diseases 1

Cancer 3 Bronchitis 2 Pneumonia 1 Premature birth 2

Diseases and accidents at parturition 1

Heart disease 4

All other causes 15 Notifiable Diseases Scarlet fever 14 cases

The first outbreak in Ayton must have been brought in by visitors. From Yarm the outbreak spread to Hutton and Seamer and also caused the second outbreak in Ayton.

The outbreak of scarlet fever at Yarm commenced in February,having broken out it was very easily spread Firstly :On account of there being no Infectious Hospital: Secondly:The narrow yards,and having only two or three cottages in each,having to share conveninieces. Thirdly:The cottages have often only two bedrooms without a fireplace,and the patient was nursed in the kitchen. Fourthly:The outbreak being as a rule of a mild character,it was impossible to keep friends and relatives away,and thus the disease was spread. Fifthly:It was impossible for the healthy children to be boarded out,and it wouldn’t have been right to have kept them in.

The above remarks apply especially to Yarm,but are applicable,perhaps not to the same degree,to other parts of the District,especially parts of Stokesley and Ayton.

Your Inspector has supplied all cases with disinfectants,and afterwards thoroughly fumigated the houses with carbolic. He has tried to impress on people that they must not go into the houses,and has helped in every way to prevent the spread of infection.

Water

In the larger villages it is from public pumps,and in several cases the people have a long way to carry it. The well near the Buck Hotel has been deepened,and the pump now gives a good supply.

Drainage

At Great Ayton the new sewage disposal has worked out well;less complaints being made as to the foul smells from the manhole covers. This may be accounted for in two ways. Firstly:by the sewer -flushing and general better working of the sewers;by providing and suspending in cages where most complained,a deodorizer,soluble in a current of air. This has been carried out at the expense and under the supervision of Mr Simpson (District Councillor). Owing to the roads in Ayton requiring repairs,it has been found necessary to raise and re-set some of the covers of the man-holes and flushing chambers and where the man-holes had high ventilation shafts provided,the covers have been closed. An inspection chamber has been fixed at the corner of Eaton’s Row giving facilities for flushing and cleansing.

1900 (Cont.)

The drainage from the premises occupied by Mr Geo Dixon,Senior,on the High Green,is still unconnected with the main sewer-the drain passing into an old culvert under the Friends’ Meeting House-the agent of the adjoining property objecting to allow the drain to pass through as planned and provided for by the governors of the Friends’ School and approved by the Sanitary Authority.

Housing

Plans have been submitted to the Committee and approved,for alterations to the Buck Hotel,also for two new houses for Messrs Harbottle Bros. in California.

1901 Deaths

29 giving a death rate of 17.92 per 1000 inhabitants Causes of death at all ages

Phthisis 1 Cancer 1 Bronchitis 3 Pneumonia 1

Other respiratory diseases 1 Diphtheria & membranous croup 1 Heart disease 3

Accidents 4

All other causes 13 Notifiable Diseases

One case of diphtheria. Measles and whooping cough have been prevalent but not to such an extent as in previous years.

Water

The water supply of the District has been attended to,and a good supply maintained. It is chiefly from pumps and except for its hardness,is good enough though not convenient.

I think for the larger villages a water system to supply each house,would be a great sanitary improvement.

Several of the farms and outlying houses are still supplied from uncovered-in streams,liable to all forms of pollution. Public pumps have been attended to and kept in good order.

Drainage

In Great Ayton the sanitary system is well ventilated,as shown by the complaints made of the ventlation holes. This, in my opinion,is due to want of flushing power.

The drain on Mr Clapham’s property is in hand and will be connected to the main sewer. Arrangements for the drainage of Nutshell and Ivy Cottages to have a satisfactory connection with the main sewer,have been made; asalso for Neatstead Farm in Station Road.

The several automatic flushing chambers on the main sewage works have been attended to and kept in satisfactory working order. The ‘dead’ ends of the branch sewers have been flushed with water. The sewage beds have been attended to and given a satisfactory effluent.

Housing

Alterations of Scotia House by Mr A E Kitching Tea room for J Johnson, California.

Alteration of the Boarding House of the Friends’ School by the Trustees.

1902 Births

The number of births at Ayton,Yarm and Hutton is above average for the last ten years:at Stokesley and remainder of the district,below.

1902(Cont) Deaths

28 giving a death rate of 16.72 per 1000 inhabitants Causes of death at all ages

Enteritis 1 Phthisis 2 Bronchitis 2 Pneumonia 3

Alcoholism:Cirrhosis of the liver 1 Heart disease 3

Accidents 1

All other causes 14 Notifiable Diseases

Scarlet fever 2 (Outbreak in the district 122)

The outbreak on the whole was of a mild form,and in my opinion there must have been some cases unreported, probably through the ignorance of some parents. It was also spread from people goinginto infected houses ; also there is no doubt infected people were out in the streets,but no one would give evidence in court so as to lead to a conviction.

Unfortunately at the commencement of the outbreak it was impossible to get the cases into Stockton Infectious Hospital;towards the end we managed to get some into the Middlesbrough one. This helped greatly lessen the spread of the disease,and I think you ought to make arrangements to send away every case as there is hardly a house in the district in which a case can be properly isolated,so as to protect the other inmates of the house and also the general public,besides which,it is hardly possible to make people understand what isolation and disinfection mean and to carry it out properly. They often use plenty of disinfectants and think that ordinary cleanliness does not matter. If people think they have to pay for sending their children to hospital,they will keep them at home and there will be a centre or centres of infection altogether uncontrolled by trained superintendants. Directions as a rule are no good. Some cases were due to clothes coming out of an infected house to be washed,without any previous treatment. In other cases it was probably spread by notes,letters and books from the sickroom,the people thinking there was no danger in sending and receiving them. An outbreak that has occurred this year at Stokesley,in1901 in Hutton,in 1900 in Yarm,interferes with the business of the places,and what is equally important,the education of the children;besides the permanent injury to health that it may leave behind,shows the importance of having an isolation hospital that each case can be sent to. The value of moving cases to the hospital was well proved by the three cases from Carlton removed from a dirty house with no isolation accomodation,no other case having occurred

in the village. I have not the slightest doubt if they had remained at home there would have been more cases. I have often noticed that people who have a case of sickness in the house are pleased if their neighbours have the same disease.

In all infectious cases your inspector has been most diligent in disinfecting the premises and supplying the people with disinfectants to use. Often I am afraid his efforts have been rendered futile by people removing things from infected rooms before his visit.

Water

The pump on the High Green has been repaired and a new trough for waste water fixed Drainage

A new branch flushing drain from the main sewer has been laid to the dead-end inspection chamber,doing away with water-cart flushing.

Housing and Planning

Mr Dodsworth for a tea-room.

Mr J B Hodgkin for two new cottages near the Railway Station.

1903 Deaths

28 giving a death rate of 16.72 per 1000 inhabitants.

There is a decrease in the average for the last ten in the Ayton parish. Causes of death at all ages

Enteric fever 1 Phthisis 2

Other tubercular diseases 3 Cancer 2

Pneumonia 2

Alcoholism. Cirrhosis of the liver 1 Heart disease 4

Accidents 2 Allother causes 11 Notifiable Diseases Scarlet fever 1 Enteric fever 3 Erysipelas 3

I must congratulate you on making permanent arrangements with Middlesbrough to take all our infectious cases,of which full advantage has been taken this year. It is certain to lessen the spread of disease by lessening the number of people who come into contact with it,and allowing your Inspector to disinfect the houses earlier. In all cases nursed at home you cannot rely on direction to prevent the spread of the disease being faithfully carried out.

In one or two cases unfortunately,they seem to have brought the infection back with them from the Sanatorium,though every precaution was taken to prevent it. The only method of removing this danger is a convalescent home for them to go to before returning home.

I had expected a more severe outbreak of Diphtheria on account of the damp,cold and sunless year,there were several cases of a suspicious character,but on sending cultures to the Clinical Research Society the germ was not found. I do not think the medical men should be at the expense of these examinations, and the Sanitary Authority ought to make arrangements for them to have this examination at the expense of the District,an early diagnosis of this complaint being essential to the treatment and prevention of the spreading of this most dangerous Zymotic

disease of the district. I have to thank your Inspector for his energetic assistance and for his thoroughness in disinfecting the houses etc.

Water

The water supply of the district has been attended to. Most of it is very hard,and therefore not as good for domestic purposes as that which could be got from the hills. In fact,I believe if a large quantity of it was analysed it would be condemned as unsuitable on account of its large mineral percentages. A large number of the springs on the hills are now being used for the supply of private gentlemens’ houses,and in a short time it may be very difficult to obtain possession of a suitable one. The public pumps have been kept in good working order.

Drainage

The system of drainage is on the principle of getting the sewage from the villages into the stream as soon as possible,and in the cheapest way,except at Ayton. At Great Ayton the drainage has been improved. The flood in October washed away the twelve inch metal pipe crossing the river,destroying the support on the south side and damaging the north pillar. The damage has been repaired by building a more substantial pillar on the south side of the river with deeper concrete foundations,also repairing and stregthening the north one,and substituting a much longer iron girder for supporting the metal pipe. Occasion was taken during the work of repair to clean out and renew the sludge filter beds at the sewage works. The four automatic flushing chambers have been attended to and kept in working order.

Urinals for public use have been erected in three places in the village with drains connecting them to the sewers,but from want of water supply they have to be flushed by hand,and are liable to become offensive from neglect. Scavenging

There are no appointed scavengers Cowsheds and Milk Purveyors

Premises have been visited and found in as good order as old byres can be. The water supply for them is fairly satisfactory. Some of the water in the ponds is not so clean as could be desired.

Slaughter-Houses

The slaughter house has been inspected and found clean and in good order. Bakehouses

The bakehouses of the district have been visited as far as is known,but the majority do their baking in the kitchen,selling only a few loaves in the week,and as there is no register of them,some may have been missed. They were on the whole,found in a clean condition.

Housing

Plans have been submitted and allowed by the Rural District Council to the undernamed: To Mr J Eaton,for a house in California

To Mr P H Maitland,for a house in Station Road.

1904 Deaths

31 giving a death rate of 18.31 per 1000 inhabitants. Causes of death at all ages

Scarlet fever 1 Whooping cough 3 Enteritis 2

Phthisis (Pulmonary tuberculosis0 3 Bronchitis 3

Pneumonia 1

Pleurisy 1

Other respiratory diseases 1 Heart disease 3

Accidents 1

All other causes 12 Notifiable Diseases Scarlet fever 47 Erysipelas 2

Scarlet fever,which was prevalent in the surrounding districts,broke out in Ayton and Stokesley during the month of April,and continued during the rest of the year. It was of a very mild type and there is no doubt in my own mind that some cases were never detected. Twenty cases were removed to the Fever Sanatorium in Middlesbrough. It is very difficult to persuade the parents to allow their children to be removed,and I have felt that,in some cases the isolation was not so perfect as was desirable. If I insisted on the case being removed it would lead to them attempting to hide the cases in future. In several cases where the parents sent for the Doctor their first words were:’I want to know if my child has the fever but I am not going to have it sent away’.

Unfortunately,on the return of one or two cases from the Sanatorium,there has been a fresh outbreak in the same house or the neighbours. I could not find there had been any neglect in the precautions that could have been taken. I have to thank the board for making arrangements to supply the doctors with diphtheria antitoxin and also for the Clinical Research Society to make an examination in doubtful cases: this has been made use of by several of the doctors.

I have to thank the Inspector for looking after the people,following out directions,and afterwards 1903(Cont)

disinfecting the rooms clothes etc. Drainage

At Great Ayton,where there is a drainage system,the sewer has been extended in the Station Road for new dwellings. There have not been so many complaints of offensive smells from the ventilation holes,and the flushing has been better.

Water

The water supply has not been altered,is chiefly from pumps,and is unsatisfactory on account of its hardness. There have been no complaints on account of short supply.

Scavenging

The occupiers of the houses make their own arrangements for removing their refuse,and there has been no complaint.

Cowsheds and Dairies

Milk purveyors and cowshed premises have been inspected and, as a rule, kept in good order. Slaughter Houses

Slaughter houses have been inspected and found clean,and no meat found objectionable. Bake Houses

The bake houses have been visited ( there are no underground ones ) and found satisfactory. No action has been found necessary under the Factory and Workshops Act,1901.

Housing

Plans have been submitted and allowed by the Plans Committee: For the alteration and enlargement of the Grange for H Kitching Esq.

1905 Deaths

21 giving a death rate of 12.54 per 1000 inhabitants Causes of death at all ages

Diphtheria and membranous croup 1 Epidemic influenza 1

Diarrhoea 2 Phthisis 2 Cancer 2 Bronchitis 2 Pneumonia 1

Alcoholism Cirrhosis of the liver 1 Premature birth 1

Heart disease 1 All other causes 7

Notifiable Diseases Scarlet fever 10 Diphtheria 2 Erysipelas 2

Scarlet fever has been prevalent during the year,a case being reported every month except September. As a rule there was no trace to be found to connect them with other cases. They have been very mild,and probably in some cases have never been reported.

The cases of diphtheria have been of a severe type and have been scattered over the district

There were twelve cases removed to the Fever Sanatorium at Middlesbrough from the district,and I am glad to say that there has been no fresh outbreak on their return.

Drainage

The drains have been attended to and repaired where necessary: flushing has been done by water carts,there being no water system in the district for that purpose,and I should not recommend a thorough system of scientific drainage until there is one.

1905(Cont) Bakehouses

The bakehouses have been visited. They are as a rule,only smallones and unimportant. There have been no actions under theFactory and Workshops Act,1901.

1906 Deaths

25 giving a death rate of 14.93 per 1000 inhabitants. Causes of death at all ages

Whooping cough 2

Diphtheria and membranous croup 2 Epidemic influenza 1

Enteritis 1

Other septic diseases 1 Phthisis 1

Other tubercular diseases 1

Cancer,malignant disease 1 Bronchitis 1

Pneumonia 1 Premature birth 1 Heart disease 3 Accidents 3

All other causes 6 Notifiable Diseases

Scarlet fever 4 ( Little Ayton 2)

Several of these cases seemed to have occurred after an influx of visitors,but only in one could a

direct connection be found.In one instance there was a fresh case after the return of a patient from the Sanatorium. Diphtheria 12

The probable cause at Ayton is the closing of the ventilation openings on account of the numerous complaints made of the smell from them

Your Inspector has very carefully disinfected all houses and schools where infectious cases have been,and I am very thankful for the pains he has taken.

Sixteen cases have been removed to the Sanatorium at Middlesbrough. Measles have not been so prevalent during the year as in former years. Water

The water supply of the district is chiefly from wells,and on account of the hardness not altogether satisfactory; also all of the wells are liable to pollution and the water from them ought to be analysed oftener than it is.During the year,analysis of the water from the Oak Well, High Green

was made and found to be unfit for domestic purposes on account of being polluted. An order has been given to close the well but nothing has been done to arrange a fresh supply and the inhabitants are still using it,having no other supply.

The public pumps have been repaired. Drainage

Owing to the frequent complaints in former years of the smell from the man-holes,the open covers have been replaced by covered ones,and two new ventilating shafts have been erected. No complaints have been made of foul smells owing to the closing of the man-holes,there is a great danger that the offensive gases are only bottled up to force their way out in other places,and may be the cause of Diphtheria in the place. A drainage system to be satisfactory requires plenty of ventilation,and the sewage to be removed from the drains as quickly as possible. Closing the man-holes interferes with the ventilation of the drains and more ventilation shafts ought to be arranged in their places. Unfortunately,without a water supply I do not see how the drains can be cleansed

1906(Cont)

more than they are at present.

The sludge pump at the sewage tank had to be repaired,owing to the valve in the working barrel having got wedged with a piece of hard substance.

Cow-sheds and Dairies

These have been inspected. New bye-laws having been passed during the year,which your Inspector is distributing,will I hope,cause more uniformity in their upkeep and cleanliness.

Slaughter Houses

The slaughter houses and butchers shops have been visited and generally found in good order and cleanly kept. Bakehouses

The bakehouses have been visited and found on the whole satisfactory. The brick oven in Great Ayton is separate from the dwelling house.

A great many cottagers in the District make bread and bake it in their kitchen ovens,and sell a few loaves and tea-cakes to their neighbours. These can hardly be called work- places though I believe they are under the Act. Workshops are difficult to define in a rural district- several people such as tailors,shoemakers, dressmakers,etc sit over their own fire,either kichen or sitting room,to do their work,occasionally doing work for a shop,oftener for a private person,or someone in the same position as themselves. Others only do it after the return from their daily occupation. During the year it has not been found necessary to stop work in any of these cases from an infectious disease.

No list of out-workers has been received by me during the year. Housing

Plans have been submitted and allowed as follows: Enlargement of farmhouse for Mr Hy. Cockerill New dwelling for Mr Geo Metcalfe

1907 Deaths

21 giving a death rate of 12.54 per 1000 inhabitants Causes of death at all ages

Epidemic influenza 4 Diarrhoea 2

Other septic diseases 1 Other tubercular diseases 1 Heart disease 4

All other causes 6 Notifiable Diseases Erysipelas 1 Scarlet fever 1

I have to thank the Medical Men of the district for the help they have given me in keeping a strict hold on the cases,especially for seeing that doubtful cases were isolated until they were satisfied whether they were infectious cases or not. In these cases I must also thank the parents for complying with their recommendations,though as I know,to great inconvenience to themselves. Unfortunately some are not so high minded and orders had to be given to prosecute, in one case for exposure,and another for failing to notify.

Two cases were removed to the Sanatorium at Middlesbrough.

Infectious diseases are often spread by people kissing and sleeping with patients as soon as they are declared free of infection: this only means that in ordinary contact there is practically no danger; often however for some weeks,there are germs in the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat and although not very active,too close connection is dangerous.

Your Inspector has shown his usual energy in disinfecting all houses,schools etc,and he does it as thoroughly asit can be done.

1906(Cont)

Sewerage and Drainage

The drainage of the district has been well attended to and repairs made on a sound basis. Owing to the year not having been a dry one,the drains have been well flushed.

At Great Ayton the automatic flushing tanks have worked well during the year,having had a sufficient supply of water. The sludge pump at the sewerage disposal area has caused a great deal of trouble owing to it getting choked

by pieces of cement from the carrier of the sewerage to the settling tank. This necessitated the lowering of the sewerage by hand pumps for some distance,in order to get at and clean the working barrel.

The waste water drain from the pump on the High Green has been laid with sanitary pipes. Water

There has been no alteration in the water supply of the District,and only isolated complaints of a scarcity of water. It is chiefly from pumps and the supply is often not a convenient one,having to be carried a good distance.All the public pumps have been kept in good working order.

Cowsheds, Dairies And Milk Shops

The bye-laws in connection with these,passed in 1906,have come into force. Several of the cowsheds comply with requirements,but several,especially in the Stokesley district,are unsatisfactory in regard to ventilation,light,air space,drainage and water supply: the alterations are too costly for an occupier.

The Milk Purveyors who supply the milk shops and dairies in the towns,keep as a rule their premises clean,and their cattle in good condition.

Slaughterhouses

The slaughterhouses and butchers’ shops have been inspected and found in a cleanly and good state.The improvement is noticed in the more frequent removal of the refuse from the slaughterhouse premises. Housing

Plans have been submitted and allowed by the Plans Committee as follows: For new County School in Frankfield Place.

To Mr Wm Pearson for seven cottages in Cliff Terrace,California.

To Mr J Eaton for a one-storey cottage of four rooms in Eaton’s Row gardens

To Mr J Thistlethwaite for a plan of sites on building ground in Munkaley*(sic) Road.

To Miss Forrester for four cottages in Munkaley(sic) Road. To Mr R Bulmer for one cottage in Munkaley(sic) Road. To Mr Ralph Dixon for a new house in Station Road.

To Mr H Kitching for a new house at Grange Mill.

To Mr W S Moody for a new warehouse (of wood) at the High Green. *Munkaley = Monkabeq

1908 Deaths

25 ( No death-rate recorded ) Causes of death at all ages Measles 4

Diphtheria 1 Diarrhoea 1 Pneumonia 1

Other tubercular diseases 1 Cancer 2

Premature birth 3 Heart disease 2 Accidents 1

All other causes 9 1908(Cont) Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 6

(No further information on notifiable diseases) Sewerage and Drainage

With respect to Thistlethwaite’s new building estate,the main sewer has been extended westward from the inspection chamber in Back Cleveland Street,and is available for drainage on west side of Monkabeq Road and Indian Drive,where ten cottages are being built. The twenty cottages built,or building,on the east side of Monkabeq Road are connected to the main sewer in Frankfield Terrace.

The drains from the new County Schools in Frankfield Road are connected to the main sewer inspection chamber in John Street.

The great trouble is,what has to be done with old tins, old boots,broken pots,etc which people will place in their ashpits?

Cow Sheds,Dairies and Milk Shops

The cow sheds and milk providers have been inspected,and although in the old establishments they do not all comply with the required air-space for each animal,yet the cattle were found well cared for,and appear in a healthy condition. The places are,as a rule,well kept and clean.

Butchers Shops and Slaughter Houses

The butchers’ shops have been inspected and found well kept and clean: the meat ,on the whole,has been of excellent quality.

The slaughter houses were found to be clean and well kept: the removal of refuse was satisfactory; in one or two places it was stored for a time in inconvenient spots.

Bakehouses

The bakehouses in the district are few in number: they have been inspected and all requirements complied with. Most of the bread is made at home in the kitchen ovens. The majority of shops who sell bread over the counter are supplied by vans from wholesale bakeries or Co-operative Stores,whose bakeries are outside the district.

Housing

The following plans have been submitted and allowed by the Rural District Council: To Mr J Wood,for house and outbuildings,Low Green.

To Middlesbrough Co-operative Stores Co. for alteration and enlargement of premises,and erecting a new warehouse and stables at High Green.

To Mr Thomas Pearson,for two cottages on Thistlethwaite’s Building Estate,east end of Indian Drive Road. To Messrs Pool Brothers,for twelve cottages on above estate on east side of Monkabeq Road.

To Messrs Deuchar and Bowers,for eight cottages on the north-west side of Monkabeq Road,and the drainage provided for as given in respect to sewerage matters in the Drainage Report. These cottages are built to provide accomodation for the increase of workmen by the working of the ironstone from Roseberry and Easby mines. The houses are each provided with a pan closet,and the water supply is from wells on the premises. The water is found on a bed of gravel below from five to seven feet of strong blue clay,and set of four and six houses have the use of one pump.

To the Friends School Governors,for alterations and additions,in respect of a collecting and changing room of classes To Mr Collingwood,for alteration and enlargement at Bye-Moor House,Little Ayton.

1909 Births

There is an increase in the number of births at Stokesley,Ayton and Broughton. At Ayton and Broughton however,there is a tendency to an increase in the population which may account for the number of births.

The Notification of Births Act of 1907 has not been adopted in this district,and at present I do not see the need of it in this rural agricultural area.

1909(Cont) Deaths

30 deaths giving a death rate of 17.92 per 1000

At Ayton 5 deaths were due to tubercular disease or phthisis,and 10 to bronchitis or pneumonia. Causes of death at all ages

Diphtheria 1 Gastritis 1

Phthisis (Pulmonary tuberculosis) 2 Other tubercular diseases 3 Bronchitis 6

Pneumonia 4

Alcoholism: Cirrhosis of the liver 1 All other causes 12

Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 3 Scarlet fever 2

Diphtheria is more frequent at Ayton than any other part of the district since they got their drainage scheme and I cannot help thinking that it is particularly due to that. Formerly all the sewerage was discharged into the open stream,which was shallow and often offensive,especially in hot weather,but the sewerage was disinfected by the sun and fresh air;now it is confined in drains which are badly ventilated,especially now the inhabitants have now insisted upon most of the ventilating holes being closed in to prevent the smell from them. I should recommend all the holes to be re-opened,and arrangements made for more frequent flushing of the drains.

Water

The public pumps have been kept in good working order. Sewerage and Drainage

The drains are on sanitary principles with a sewage disposal works but the ventilation is not satisfactory and on account of the increase in population the sewage disposal work is being tested to its greatest extent,and may soon want enlarging. The under drainage of these works has been in use for ten years and is beginning to require attention. The automatic flushing chambers have worked satisfactorily,and the tank sludge pump has given no trouble. Ther is a tendency to WCs in the district: this should not be encouraged on account of the water supply and drains. I believe that in any drainage system the drains should have a constant water supply to flush them.

At Ayton owing to the number of houses erected with pan closets,there is great need of a scavenger and a place for the deposit of house refuse.

Cow Sheds,Dairies and Milk Shops

The cow sheds have been kept in a satisfactory manner though they do not all comply with the bye-laws. The animals appear healthy and free from tuberculous disease. I must point out that there is no veterinary surgeon appointed to examine any animals that there is a suspicion about. This is a state of affairs it would be wise to alter. The water supply for cattle is not always so satisfactory as might be,being often water from stagnant ponds seldom if ever cleaned out.

Butchers Shops and Slaughter Houses

They have been found clean and kept in a satisfactory condition: occassionallythe refuse is allowed to remain too long.

The meat was of good quality,and no fault to be found with it. There is no Inspector with a special certificate appointed to inspect the meat: but up to the present it has been very satisfactorily done,and I see no need for any alteration at present.

Plans and Buildings

Plans submitted and allowed:

To Mr Wm Pearson,for 8 cottages,California To Mr Dorley,for 4 houses,California

To Mrs A Newton,for 1 house,Romany Rd 1909(Cont)

To Mr Clark,for 1 house,Romany Rd

To Mr H Heaviside,for 6 cottages,Bradleys Row To Mr Ingledew,for 2 houses,Carlins Close

To Messrs Densham and Brown,4 cottages,John St Medical Inspection of School Children

During the year I inspected 669 school children. They were,on the whole,healthy and free from any serious defects,though in 235 cases I had to call the parents’ attention to defects that required treating. In one case of phthisis it was the means of the child being placed in a Sanatorium,and I hear the child is improving very nicely. In only one case was the child decidedly suffering from the want of food: and the parents who are earning good wages,are paying more attention to its feeding and the child is improving. A large number of the recommendations have done no good,but as the parents are taking more interest in these examinations,I hope there will be better results another year.

1910 Deaths

40 deaths giving a death rate of 24.49 per 1000

The high death in Great Ayton is due to the increase in population. Causes of death at all ages

Whooping cough 1 Diphtheria 1 Epidemic influenza 1 Diarrhoea 1 Tuberculous disease 2 Cancer 2

Bronchitis 4 Pneumonia 2 Cirrhosis of the liver 1 Heart disease 7 Accidents 1

All other causes 17 Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 1 Scarlet fever 2 Enteric fever 1 Water

For the new houses in Romany Road,Monkabeq Road and Cliff Terrace,the water supply is from wells and pumps on the premises.

Sewerage and Drainage

A number of new cottages have been built and drains laid to connect them with the sewers. Each cottage is provided

with a pail or pan closet requiring constant attention,for which purpose a scavenger has been appointed.

At Bankfoot,on the outskirts of Great Ayton a number of workmens’ cottages are being built,for which the drains and sewers are provided with a continous set of settling tanks before the disposal of sewage,and each cottage has a separate pan closet.

Cow Sheds and Milk Purveyors

The water for cattle in most places is from ponds,and is not satisfactory. Butchers Shops and Slaughterhouses

The meat has been sound and of good quality.

There has been an outbreak of ptomaine poisoning,probably due to some cheese. There were no deaths from it. 1910(Cont)

Plans and Buildings

Plans submitted and allowed:

To Mr Geo Ingledew,for 7 cottages,Carlins Garth. To Mr J Foster,for 1 cottage,West Brook.

To Mr Wm Hutchinson,for 1 house,George Street,California. To Mr Robt Wilson,for 7 cottages,George Street.

To Mr J J Burton,for 4 semi-detached houses and 32 cottages,Bankfoot. To Rev Withington for Church Hall.

To Messrs Cameron & Co for alterations to Tile Sheds Inn.

On account of the number of new houses being built,it is not wise to trust the water supply from pumps and wells. They are liable to become contaminated and it is therefore not a reliable water-supply,as well as not being convenient.

Medical Inspection of School Children

Five hundred and sixty-four children were inspected during the year,necessitating 39 visits. They were on the whole healthy,though I had to give notice to parents about 207 defects: in some cases there was more than one defect in the same child. I was surprised at some of the parents not considering fleas and flea-bites of any importance or sign of dirt.

It would be a good thing if either this authority or the the education one gave the masters of the schools a supply of antiseptic lozenges e.g. Formamint,to be be given to the children when there is an outbreak of measles,mumps,whooping cough,diphtheria or suspicious sore throats in the district.

1911

During the year a fresh census was taken,by which Stokesley Rural District is shown to have a population of 12,114,an increase of 857. This increase is chiefly due to Great Ayton(645) where fresh mines have been opened: Great Broughton (111) which is becoming a summer residential place,and Nunthorpe which is becoming a residential place for Middlesbrough. There is also an increase in fifteen other places. There has been a decrease in fourteen places,The chief decreases being at Whorlton(62) which has gradually gone down since the mines closed,and at Ingleby Greenhow(48) where there is not so much work on the railway at Battersby Junction.

I present to you a table showing you the population for the last three censuses. 1911 1901 1891

Great Ayton 2319 1674 1727

Deaths

26 deaths giving a death rate of 11.16 per 1000

During the year arrangements have been made for the distribution of leaflets on the treatment of infants,by the medical men and the registrar of births: at the same time,as a medical man remarked,more good would be done if

we could stop so many people giving different advice. The poor mother,anxious about her child,whether ill or well,listens to all,and tries first one thing then another,until the child dies,killed by too much advice,any of which might have done good if only it had been stuck to.

Notifiable Diseases

Four cases of diphtheria at the Quakers’ School. These cases were isolated in their own private hospital and no fresh cases occurred.

There were two deaths from influenza and two from pulmonary tuberculosis.

During this year all cases of phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis) have to be notified and the Government suggest that we should add cerebro-spinal fever (meningitis) and acute poliomyelitis,and I would suggest a resolution to that effect being passed.

Just before the new order came out about phthisis,steps were being taken for having the sputum examined in suspicious cases.

1911(Cont)

Now that all cases have to be notified,it will be necessary for you to make arrangements for treatment of such cases e.g. as the admittance to Sanatoriums,so that they can be educated into the general routine of the fresh-air treatment,and also a supply of shelters,that can easily be removed,and a place for storing them when not in use. Water

The supply to the new houses now being built is from wells and the water from these wells will require analysing before it is allowed to be used. The sample taken from the well to supply the new houses at Bank House was not thought by the analyst to be a fair sample,so another one will be taken before the houses are occupied. Sewerage and Drainage

The sewerage works at Great Ayton is giving satisfaction,but nothing more has been done towards treating the sewage in other parts of the district to prevent the pollution of the streams. This,though against the law,- and you may be called upon at any moment to prevent it,- is not at present causing any serious nuisance in the district,the water being considerably purified in the streams before reaching the next village and the floods give great assistance. The dry,hot summer tried this system very severely. No one having made any complaints; no case of typhoid being reported,and the diarrhoea in the district not more than usual,I think proves that the system is working satisfactorily.

The work done in connection with the drains was at Great Ayton. The drains at the Tile Sheds Inn and No 1 Eatons Row were found to be defective and choked. They were partially relaid and a disconnecting chamber put in.

At the Bungalow,there was no drain and a sanitary one was laid and connected to the sewer.

At Messrs Rowland and Huttons’,the drain was choked. This was taken up and relaid,and an access chamber provided for rodding.

At Monkabeq Road,the drains from eight houses were choked: these were rodded and cleaned. The main drain is at fault ,not having sufficient fall. It is receiving attention.

At Cliff Rigg new drains have been laid to the premises.

At Moody’s,High Green,a new drain has been laid and connected to the sewer. At John Street,the drains to nine houses were choked. These have been put right.

At Bank Top,the overflow from the settling tanks,has been taken lower down the stream,owing to an objection being made to the situation of it.

Plans and Buildings

Plans submitted and approved by Council Mr Wm Peirson,for 47 cottages in California.

Messrs Dixon Bros,for outoffices to houses in Bridge Street. Mr Small,for a house in Guisborough Road.

Miss Thistlethwaite,for 6 houses in Linden Avenue. Mr Geo Ingledew,for 5 houses opposite the Church. Mr Metcalfe,for 1 house opposite the Church. Messrs Pease and Partners,for 2 houses Little Ayton. Town and Country Planning Act,1909

Under the provisions of the Act,20 houses were inspected in Great Ayton. The drains to two houses were found to be defective and these have been put right.

Scavenging

The scavengers at Yarm and Ayton have done their work fairly well,but the one at Stokesley has no idea of system or cleanliness,and often will not remove things from the houses without he gets extra pay. A gentleman in Stokesley told me that was the reason the stream required cleaning out so often.

Medical Inspection of School Children

Six hundred and thirteen children were examined during the year,necessitating 42 visits to the schools. Notices had to be sent to 117 parents about defects found in the children,chiefly in

1911 (Cont)

connection with the throat. I am afraid parents do not pay sufficient attention to the throats; any affection there is a serious defect,rendering the child more liable to develop phthisis,diphtheria,scarlet fever and other infectious complaints,besides interfering with the general nutrition of the child; 75 were re-examined for defects found the previous year; 46 were found to have undergone treatment and were improving in stamina.

During the coming year,what will require your more especial attention is the water supply of the district and more frequent analysis of well water: the further preventing of pollution of the streams and suitable arrangements for the treatment of tuberculous patients.

1912 Deaths

32 deaths giving a death rate of 13.8 per 1000 Deaths from infectious diseases

Scarlet fever 1 Diphtheria 2 Phthisis 3

TB meningitis 1 Infectious Diseases Diphtheria 9

At the Friends’ School at Great Ayton,on account of the frequent outbreaks,the authorities had all the throats examined,where it was found that a large number in the school were acting as carriers of the disease. These were all isolated until the throat was found to be free of the germ,but even after that there was another case.

Scarlet fever 40

The epidemic of scarlet fever was of a very mild character. After the first few cases,in fact in many of the cases,the children hardly knew anything was the matter with them,and there is no doubt many cases were not detected,and this is the reason I consider it for spreading. The first case started at Rye Hill Cottages which stand close beside the railway,and the occupiers complained that scavenger manure had been standing in the trucks directly in front of these cottages for more than a fortnight,and was then carted on to the field in front of the cottages. The first case of scarlet fever started immediately afterwards and when the Inspector made his usual call the smell was abominable. I have no doubt in my mind that this was the originating cause,as I have often found an outbreak in isolated places when such manure has been disturbed.

Enteric disease 3

Your Inspector thoroughly disinfected all the premises,and kept a strict eye on the householders that they should not by any carelessness tend to spread the disease.

Pulmonary tuberculosis 3

( Tuberculosis became a notifiable disease in 1912 )

This is the first year the Act has been in force and I am afraid some of the cases have not been notified. The Doctors do not seem to have recognised the fact that the Act is now in force; or perhaps they do not see the good of notifying as there are no special arrangements made in this district for the treatment of the cases except by the spread of literature. We have been waiting to see what the County Council were going to do: it is now evident that they only mean to look after insured persons,so that it is necessary for you to make arrangements,such as supplying shelters,that can be lent out,and for suitable cases to be sent to a sanatorium,not only for the purpose of treatment but also for educational purposes,so that they can continue treatment on their return home.

I am writing to the medical men of the district to inform them that the Sanitary Authority will undertake to supply tuberculin serum in necessary cases,and also for the examination of the sputum for diagnostic purposes. If this is done I am certain it will make the medical men keener to report doubtful cases at an earlier stage than they do at present.

In 1913 all tubercular cases,whether pulmonary or otherwise,have to be reported and the 1912 (Cont)

report has to be kept as private as possible. Sewerage and Drainage

At Great Ayton a new six- inch sewer was laid at Gribdale down the side of the road from the fifteen new cottages recently built there.

A new six- inch sewer,thirty five yards long,was laid down the side of the road in Guisborough lane to meet the drain of a new dwelling house,which would otherwise have had to be drained into the cess-pool.

New nine-inch drains have been laid on Thistlethwaites’ estate for the new houses in Linden Terrace and Linden Avenue to drain into. The whole of the pipes brought onto the site were defective,and were condemned by your Inspector: these were replaced by stoneware pipes of the best quality. Some of these drains are laid twelve feet below the surface of the ground,and houses will be built close up to the drains,which will eventually become sewers repairable by the District Council,so that it was very important this drain should be well laid and of good quality. Inspection chambers have been provided in suitable places and fitted with heavy manhole covers.

A drain in the back street of Monkabeq Road was found to be badly laid and continually blocking up. It was discovered to have no fall whatever. It has been relaid with watertight joints,and is now working satisfactorily.

Two drains in Eaton’s Row,and one in Cleveland Street,were found to be choked. Notices were served and the drains were put right.

Factories and Workshops

The Factory Inspector required a ventilator to be provided in a bakehouse in Great Ayton: this has been done. Scavenging

The scavenging at Great Ayton has been far from satisfactory during the past year,many of the ash-pits being allowed to go an unreasonable time before receiving attention,and although the pans were mostly cleaned out every week – except for the last two months – the work was done in a slovenly manner,and no notice was taken of repeated requests made to him to pay special attention to this work during the recent epidemic of scarlet fever. You have been well advised to appoint a fresh contractor for this work.

The following notices have been complied with: A new pan to a closet to a house in California.

To convert a privy and ash-pit into a pan closet in California.

To repair a privy to a house in John Street Plans and Buildings

Plans submitted and approved:

Mr A W Hutton,detached dwelling in High Street.

Mr W Pearson,2 houses and a shop,Guisborough Road,California.

Mr W H Thistlethwaite,alteration to drainage on the Thistlethwaite estate. Mr A Mackenzie,alterations and additions to a shop in Arthur Street.

Habitation certificates have been granted for 15 cottages at Gribdale,and one to Mr A W Hutton, High Street.

1913 Deaths

36 deaths,giving a death rate of 15.52 per 1000 inhabitants

The high death rate at Great Ayton is partially due to the number of deaths over 65 years; six of them occurred outside the district,either in Asylums,Nursing Homes or Hospitals. There were 3 deaths from accidents and 2 from enteric fever. This is a water- borne disease,which makes one anxious about the water supply,which is chiefly from wells which are easily polluted. There were 2 deaths from phthisis and 1 from other tubercular disease. Cancer was the cause of 5 deaths and heart disease was the chief cause of death over 65 years.

Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 4 Erysipelas 1 Enteric fever 2

Pulmonary tuberculosis 3

Arrangements are gradually being made in this district for an attack on tuberculosis. We have got printed instructions,both for the house and pocket. One shelter is at present on loan from the Guardians,and is stationed at the Workhouse,and there is another one on order. We ought to have at least half-a-dozen of these shelters,and I am certain you will consider them well worth the expense after seeing the improvement made by the inmate of the one occupied at the Workhouse.

No arrangements have been made for Sanatorium treatment. I consider that a period in one of these institutions is essential to educate the patients how to take care of themselves. The knowledge of the preparation of food for invalids is also very limited in the district. Very few know how to make a good milk pudding or a plate of porridge: they have an idea that oatmeal can only be used for making porridge,and nothing else can be made from it.

Water Supply

Notice has been given by the Tees Valley Water Board of their intention to apply for Parliamentary powers to lay pipes and supply water to Great Ayton,Little Ayton with Tunstall,Kirby, Nunthorpe and Stokesley in our district. There is no doubt but that the supply will be a boon to the district,especially to Great Ayton,where the present supply in several instances is not satisfactory.

Great Ayton will also benefit by the replacing of several of the existing pans,privies and ash pits by water closets,as they have a good system which only requires more ventilation.

Sewerage and Drainage

At Great Ayton the sewage works were in a disgraceful condition during the spring,the beds being flooded and the sewage flowing direct into the river. The Inspector was required to inspect and report on them. The report was adopted and the works are now acting satisfactorily.

The drains to twelve houses in Monkabecq Road,were found to be defective and continually choked: these have been relaid,given more fall,and fresh disconnecting chambers put in.

Scavenging

The scavenging at Great Ayton has been well done during the past year. Factories and Workshops

Your inspector has paid several visits to them. He has found no cause to complain about,and reports that they have been kept in a satisfactory order.

Dairies and Cowsheds

There are now 27 registered cowbyres in the district. These have been inspected,and several found to be structurally defective as regards,drainage,light and ventilation.

A new register is now being prepared with a plan of each byre in it and all the necessary measurements,and the number of cows in each byre.

Butchers’ Shops and Slaughter-houses

The meat killed in the district has on the whole been of good quality,but there is reason to believe that some animals killed in our district-the meat being mostly taken away and sold in neighbouring towns-are not at all times what they ought to be. More supervision is needed over such slaughter houses; and application should be made to the Local Government Board for powers to adopt Sections 169-70 of the Public Health Act 1875,and Sections 28-31 of the Public Health Act’s Amendment Act,1890. All slaughter houses would then have to be registered,and in the case of fresh ones,licensed. Bye-laws for them would then be needed,to which they would have to conform.

Petrol, Carbide Etc. ( In Stokesley R.D.C. ) The number of Petrol Licenses 18

The number of Petrol Unlicensed Stores 20 The number of Carbide Licenses 5

The number of Game Licenses 1 Plans and Buildings

1913(Cont)

The following plans were submitted and approved of by the Council: Rebuilding outbuildings in Park Square for J J Burton,Esq.

Proposed two new houses in Sunnyfield Row,for Mr A Ingledew. Proposed new house in Guisborough Lane,for Mr Sidgwick. Proposed new Wesleyan Chapel and Schools.

Alternative plans for Goriston Road and Riveaux (sic) Road,for Mr P Bray Proposed 17 new houses in Goriston Road,for Mr P Bray.

1914 Deaths

29 deaths giving a death rate of 12.5 per 1000 inhabitants

There were 3 deaths from measles,1 death from whooping cough an 4 deaths from cancer.

At Great Ayton the death rate has fallen,and the only unsatisfactory point is that it is due to the fewer deaths over 45 years instead of under.

Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 1 Erysipelas 1 Scarlet fever 9

Pulmonary tuberculosis 2

You have two TB shelters fixed at Great Ayton,and fenced around in a field belonging to Mr Wilson Tanfield;also one at the Workhouse,Stokesley. They have been most useful during the past year,and more are required. One of those at Great Ayton has been kindly loaned to us by Major Turton’s son,of Kildale Hall.The two at Great Ayton have been

fitted with new 3feet by 6 feet beds and mattresses.

All the reported cases have received the necessary attention,and your Inspector has been most diligent in supplying and disinfecting the premises,and keeping a good look- out that orders are obeyed. No arrangements have been made for the Sanatorium treatment of any of the tuberculous cases. This requires attention.

Water Supply

There is no further improvement to report to the water supplies in the district.

Notices were served upon the owners of eight houses in Monkabecq Road,have not been complied with. The first notice was served 9th August,1913,the second 2nd September,1913. One of the owners promised to have the existing well made deeper,but has not done so.

Sewerage and Drainage

Except at Great Ayton and Kirklevington where there are sewerage works,the sewage runs into streams as a rule without any treatment,which is illegal,and though there have been no complaints on the subject and it has not caused any disease,is not on sanitary principles.

In California,complaint was made that the sewers were very offensive. On examination it was found to be due to the flushing tank being out of order and the prolonged dry weather. A good flushing removed the nuisance.

Sewage Works

At Great Ayton,the sewage works during the greater part of last year were greatly improved by the extra attention they had received on the beds,but towards the end of the year the settling tank was not used for several weeks on account of the pump being out of order,and the sewage being turned direct onto the beds,flooded them. They are now unfortunately in the same condition as they were in the spring of the year 1913,and will require a lot of labour to cleanse and trench them before they are again working satisfactorily.

Scavenging

The scavenging at Great Ayton and Stokesley has been done satisfactorily,but I cannot say the same for Yarm: both the pans and the ash pits are allowed to go too long; the times stated in the contract not being adhered to,and your Inspector has had a great deal of trouble.

1914 (Cont)

Formerly,Ayton and Stokesley were neglected in the same manner,until fresh men were appointed,and it was realised that the work must be carried out in a proper manner. I would suggest that the scavenging should be tendered for each year.

Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909

At Great Ayton,more houses are required,several workmen having to come out to Stokesley to live. This means a three to five mile journey on bicycles before they reach work.

Rivers’ Pollution

The only two parishes in the district treating their sewage before delivering into the streams are Great Ayton and Kirklevington.

Butchers’ Shops and Slaughter-houses

These have been inspected from time to time,and found fairly satisfactory. The chief difficulty with respect to most slaughter-houses is the manure is allowed to stay on the premises too long,and cause a nuisance to the surrounding dwellings. Some of the butchers clear away all refuse every week,and do their best to keep these places satisfactory,and it is only fair to these that the others should be compelled to do the same.

I suggested certain alterations in my report last year with respect to these places and the necessary bye-laws,but they have not yet been dealt with.

Plans and Buildings

Proposed two new dwelling-houses in Langbaurgh Terrace,for Mr T T Harbottle. Proposed new cow-byre,wash- house,etc,at Ayton Grange,for Henry Kitching Esq.

Proposed addition to coachman’s house at Ayton Grange,for Henry Kitching Esq. Proposed new dwelling-house and outbuildings,California for Mr Paul Pierson. Proposed amended plan of new dwelling-house,California,for Mr P Pierson.

1915 Births

On September 1st,the Act for the Notification of Births came into force. Arrangements have been made fo the deliverance of circulars in all cases. At Yarm,the Parish Council have appointed a committee of five ladies to assist in the working of the Act; and the Parish Council of Great Ayton have also been asked to form a committee,but I have not received the names yet: in the remaining parishes it has not been thought necessary to form any committees Deaths

This year the rates have been worked out on the estimated population for the year supplied by the Government. It is 221 below the population for the district in the year 1911 when the census was taken ,probably on account of the men who have joined the army or navy.

We have no soldiers stationed in the district except those in the various hospitals,and there have been no deaths amongst them.

28 deaths giving a death rate of 12.07 per 1000 inhabitants Phthisis 3

Tuberculous meningitis 1 Cancer 1

No other details given Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 8

I think that probably the whole outbreak was due to an undetected case,as there was very little sign of any of the cases having come into contact with each other,except when they were in the same house. At Ayton most of the cases occurred at the Friends’ School.

Erysipelas 2 Scarlet fever 2

Pulmonary tuberculosis 4 Other forms of tuberculosis 1

You have 3 shelters for the outdoor treatment of consumptives,of which one at present is occupied at Great Ayton. They are in good condition.

There have been outbreaks of whooping cough and measles in various parts of the district.Your Inspector has spent a good deal of time in trying to prevent the people being careless and spreading the disease,and on the whole,the people have been very good in obeying his orders.

1915 (Cont) Water Supply

The water supplies in the district remain much the same,being chiefly from wells fitted with pumps,except at Yarm,Crathorne,East Rounton,Ingleby Arncliffe,and part of Great Ayton,which have a constant supply in pipes. The public pumps have been repaired when necessary,and kept in good order.

The overflow from the public pump on the High Green was choked: this was relieved and a cleansing eye put on the drain. The trough from this pump causes a good deal of trouble,as children put dirt into it,thus choking the outlet and causing the water to overflow onto the road. A new galvanised drinking trough is to be placed to this pump,which I think will abate this nuisance.

Sewage and Drainage

A new 4 inch sanitary drain was laid and connected to the sewer from the house occupied by Mr H C Jackson,to drain a w.c.,bath and lavatory.

Scavenging

The scavenging has,on the whole,been done in a fairly satisfactory manner over all the district. The Council contract for the scavenging is at Stokesley,Yarm and Great Ayton. In the remainder of the district the people make their own private arrangements.

The Great Ayton scavenger,Mr W Tanfield,gave his notice in August last to terminate his employment in two months,and the Sanitary Committee,having by them such a good report of the man,decided to ask him to continue his work until the end of March,1916. This however he refused to do,and the work being advertised,another person was appointed, He however refused to sign the agreement,as he contended he could not do the work for the amount he stated in his tender. The matter was referred to Great Ayton Parochial Committee,who again advertised the work. Mr W Tanfield,the old scavenger,who had been induced to tender,was again appointed.

Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909

At Great Ayton,there is still a scarcity of houses for the working man,several having to live afew miles from their work.

Rivers’ Pollution

The villages, with the exception of Stokesley,are small and far apart,and consequently the amount of sewage going into the streams is not large,and does not seriously pollute the water in the streams.

There has been nothing done during the year to prevent the sewage enterering the streams and rivers. At Great Ayton,Kirklevington,and for part of Nunthorpe there are sewage works: the one for Nunthorpe being under the Middlesbrough Corporation.

Butchers’ Shops and Slaughter-Houses

There are 27 butchers’ shops and slaughter-houses in the district,and with the exception of two or three the meat is all retailed within the district. The meat is without doubt the best that can be procured,slaughtered and sold under the best conditions.

The registering or licensing,as the case may require,of these slaughter-houses where only good meat is slaughtered,would no doubt prove a benefit to these butchers,as it would prevent bad meat being slaughtered in the district.

Registered Cowbyres

There are 27 registered cowbyres in the district;the cattle are healthy,and the byres are kept in a clean and satisfactory condition.

There are in the district several ponds used for the cows to drink from which are quite unfit for the purpose. Plans and Buildings

The following plans were submitted and approved by the Council: Proposed new dwelling-house in California,for Mr William Davies.

Medical Officer of Health reports for the years 1916-1918 are not available. It is possible that annual reporting was suspended during the war years because of Dr Yeoman’s involvement as Honorary MOH to the Red Cross Hospital which had been established in the Manor House, Stokesley.

However some figures for 1918 are mentioned in the 1919 report and these are presented in parentheses.

1919 Deaths

37 deaths.(The number at Ayton is large,though 12 less than in 1918) I am not working out percentages for each district as I am doubtful what alterations have taken place in the population.

Infectious Diseases

There were 257 cases notified in the district during the year,against 91 in 1918; an increase of 166,due chiefly to an outbreak of measles at Great Ayton ; and also,for the first time,all forms of pneumonia had to be notified Diphtheria 2

Scarlet fever 1

Measles 101 The outbreak at Ayton was due to a visitor.

In future this disease has not to be notified,except by the school-teachers. I don’t think general notification does any good; at the same time,the notification of the first case in any district or parish would be very useful.

Pneumonia 4 Tuberculosis 6

There are only three shelters in the district,all of which are in use. They are decidedly of great benefit,and more are urgently needed.

Your Inspector has attended to the disinfecting of the premises by fumigation,and the results,so far,have been satisfactory,but there is a great danger of the matresses and bed-clothes not being quite safe.

Water

The chief source is from shallow wells,which are always liable to pollution. Part of Great Ayton also has a piped supply from a stream up Gribdale.

Sewerage and Drainage

The sewage works at Great Ayton have been kept in good working order during the year,and have been visited by your Inspector and myself from time to time.

The drains at present are able to cope with the amount of sewage they have to carry,but,when the fresh houses are built,it will be a question if the main sewer is large enough to carry the increased amount.

Scavenging

The scavenging work has been done fairly well. Housing and Town Planning Act

Your Inspector and myself,at the request of the Housing Committee,made an inspection of most of the poor cottages at Ayton,Stokesley and Yarm. A large number of these is unfit for human habitation,several of them consist only of two rooms,one on the ground floor and one above; some have no pantry,others have an apology for one in the shape of a cupboard.They are low,have not sufficient ventilation ,and,either on account of the windows or other buildings near them,there is not plenty of light: in fact in some cases,it is a question if the sun ever reaches them. The sanitary arrangements are often most unsatisfactory.

These houses require closing and demolishing as soon as other houses are available. The tenants, however,will be quite unable to pay the rents for the houses you are proposing to build,and if neighbours in the better cottages do not move into them and leave theirs empty,it will be a

1919(Cont)

serious question what will have to be done with the population of these unhealthy cottages. If we are going to get the better of the scourge of tubercular disease,we must have houses,in the first place,with more light and air than the present ones have; and,after that,what is equally important,we must attend to dampness,sanitary arrangements,agood and a sufficiently convenient supply of water;and,lastly,to see that it is possible to keep the houses clean and free from dust.

In your district,except at Ayton,there has not been a serious shortage of houses,though practically everyone is occupied. There are several houses and cottages in possession of people who only spend a few weeks of the year in them.

Your Housing Committee has practically purchased twelve acres of land at Ayton for £2,400,and it is hoped to start building 30 houses.

Butchers Shops and Slaughter-Houses

These have been visited from time to time,and found in a fairly satisfactory condition. There is not much fresh meat in the district,owing to the meat control,and that was not of first class quality. The frozen meat was not at all appreciated in the district,and two supplies had to be condemned as unfit for human food.

The quality of the bacon supplied by the shops was very poor,and although not unsound,it had an unpleasant taste when cooked.

Registered Cow-Byres

The cattle are healthy,and the byres are kept clean and in a satisfactory condition. The milk has been of good quality,and there have been no complaints.

Plans and Buildings

The following plans have been submitted and approved by the Council. Great Ayton;

Proposed alterations and additions to Great Ayton Institute Proposed new dwelling-house for Mr B Pearson.

Proposed new warehouse for Mr S R W Moody. Proposed extension of latrines at the Friends’ School.

Proposed alterations and additions to an existing cottage in California,for Mr S R W Moody. Bye Laws

Your bye-laws are very ancient,are more suitable for an urban district than a rural one,and apply only to part of the district. I think it was time they were revised,and applied to the whole of the district.

Population and Inhabited Houses

The population of your district at the census in 1911was; Stokesley 1,624

Great Ayton 2,319 Yarm 1,618

Broughton District 1,231 Hutton District 1,197 Whorlton District 807 Remainder of District 3,318

Total 12,114

There were 2,798 inhabited houses,which allows 4.4 of the inhabitants to each house.

The population for the year 1919,as estimated by the Registrar-General is: for birth-rate, 11,837; for death-rate,11,363. In my opinion,this is somewhat low.

The chief occupation of the district is agriculture,except at Great Ayton where there are ironstone and whinstone quarries.

1919(Cont)

The area of the district in acres is 83,010 District Nurses

There are now several District Nurses who live in or on the outskirts of the District. The majority of them are qualified mid-wives.

The following parishes are provided with them: Stokesley, including Seamer, Newby and Busby; Great Ayton;

Yarm;

Broughton, including Kirby and Ingleby Greenhow; Hutton, (and I believe it includes Crathorne); Whorlton, including Faceby and Potto;

Ingleby Cross and Rounton are served by Nurses from outside the District.

Arrangements have been made, through the County Council, with the various Nursing Committees for the Nurse to take charge of the infant welfare and school children.

These Nurses are a valuable asset to the District, and it is a pity each village is not in connection with one, especially at a time when it is so difficult to find Nurses or home-help for sick households.

1920 Births

Births 77 in Great Ayton.

(Commenting on the birth-rate for the District the MOH noted ‘that there had not been such a large number of births since the year 1892.’ )

Deaths

All ages 21 Infectious Diseases Diphtheria 1 Scarlet Fever 29

An outbreak at the Friends’ School, accounting for 29 cases, which were of a very mild type, the source of infection being from a scholar coming from outside the District developing the fever a day or two after school opened in the New Year.

Pneumonia 1

This is the only notifiable disease that the Doctors have been at all dilatory in reporting, but as very little can be done to prevent the spread of the disease in this district no action has been taken.

Tuberculosis 3

The three shelters for tuberculous cases are located at Yarm, Stokesley and Ayton. I am glad to be able to report that the North Riding County Council are making better arrangements for the Sanatorium treatment of these cases, both for the insured and uninsured, and also the children.

The fees at Middlesbrough Fever Hospital have been increased, and therefore when possible the patients have been isolated at home.

I must express my thanks to your Inspector for the careful way he has disinfected the premises, and that the isolation was as perfect as possible.

Water Supply

The water supply is practically the same as last year, and is chiefly from shallow wells which very easily become polluted.

A joint meeting of the Great Ayton and Stokesley Parochial Committees was held to discuss the water supply of the two parishes.

It has been suggested that the pollution of the wells is due to the drainage, which is probably correct. As I have pointed out in former reports it is not on scientific principles, there being no flushing for them, very little ventilation, on account of the gradient some have very little fall, and some of the joints are not perfect.

1920(Cont)

I cannot trace any disease due to the water, but if a case of typhoid occurred in the parish it might very easily spread through it; also it is not safe for anyone to build a new house because they would not be able to get a certified

water-supply. There are already about half-a-dozen new houses occupied whose owners might be prosecuted for not having a certified water-supply.

At Great Ayton several wells have been examined, and the reports on the whole have been satisfactory, except for the hardness of the water.

Sewerage and Drainage

The sewage works continues to give satisfaction. Scavenging

At Ayton there have been two fresh appointments, the first contractor giving his notice at the end of the summer months which is much the easiest part of the year, and to obviate a recurrance of this the contract is now made for a period of not less than one year.

The contract for Great Ayton is £300 per annum. Butchers’ Shops and Slaughter-Houses

A fresh shop has been opened out in California for the sale of frozen meat. The shops have all been visited from time to time and have been kept in a satifactory condition, and the animals slaughtered were of good quality.

Number of slaughter-houses in use in the District in 1914 27 Do. December 1920 21

Dairies and Cowsheds

There are 29 registered milk-sellers in the District. It is my opinion however that there are a few milk-sellers who are not yet registered, and will require reminding of their obligation to put themselves in order. The byres have been visited from time to time and found in a satifactory condition and are kept clean.

Housing

Your Housing Committee have commenced the work of making roads and laying sewers on the Ayton site.

It is not proposed to take over the land at Stokesley at present, the greatest immediate need for houses being at Great Ayton, and it is hoped that by building these first that it will relieve Stokesley, as there are several miners living at Stokesley and working at Ayton who would probably live there if houses were available, as they have to travel four miles or more to their work. I am afraid however that the rent of these new houses will be too much for a working man to pay.

Plans and New Buildings

Plans of the following new buildings were approved of during the yeat:

Proposed new outbuildings to existing houses in Cleveland Street, for Mr J Dixon. Proposed new stable and pig-stye in California, for Mr S R Moody.

Proposed new wood office in California, for Mr B Pearson. Proposed new bungalow in California, for Mr T Tait. Inspections

Your Inspector reports that the number of inspections made during the year in the District were: Scavenging, Privies and Ashpits 2,500

Dwelling Houses 150

Visits to Infectious Cases 175 Number of Houses Disinfected 78

Number of Statutory Notices served 10 Number of Statutory Notices complied with 10 Number of Informal Notices served 25 Number of Informal Notices complied with 25

Notification of Infectious Diseases and Vaccination against Smallpox

During the last half-year the Head Teachers of the various schools reported the names of the children who were kept

at home on account of infectious diseases, except for a severe outbreak of 1920(Cont)

mumps at Ayton and Hutton, where there were very many cases, viz; Mumps 150, Chicken Pox 20, Whooping Cough, 12, Measles 5, and Ringworm 1.

I am sorry to have to report that the vaccination of the District is not so thorough as it was during the outbreak of Smallpox in Middlesbrough, when we were the only District adjacent to the town that had not a single case: as long as there are no cases in the neighbourhood it is not so important but the great value of vaccination is shown by the report issued by the Chicago Department of Health, viz; ‘From 1899 to1920 inclusive 3,565 cases of Smallpox occurred in Chicago with 167 deaths. Of the 488 vaccinated persons who took Smallpox none died. No revaccinated persons took Smallpox.

1921

A fresh census was taken during the year, unfortunately later in the year than usual, when visitors had begun to arrive in the District and a few had departed for the holidays, so it is not so accurate as usual. According to the corrected return received from London the population of Stokesley Rural District is12,430 against a population of 12,114 in 1911, an increase of 316.

Census Returns for Great Ayton For the year 1911 2,319

For the year 1921 2,534

Average no. of births pa. for 10 years ending 1911 47.5 Average no. of births pa. for 10 years ending 1921 64.8 Average no. of deaths pa. for 10 years ending1911 26.7 Average no. of deaths pa. for 10 years ending1921 32.5 Deaths

28 deaths

Causes of death at all ages Measles 1

Diphtheria 1 Cancer 4

Cerebral Haemorrhage 3 Arteris-Sclerosis 1 Pneumonia 6

Other Respiratory Disease 2 Puerperal Sepsis 1 Congenital Debility 1

Death from Violence 1 Other Defined Diseases 7

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 3

A supply of Diphtheria antitoxin is kept by the Medical Officer of Health, and arrangements have been made in necessary cases for swabs to be sent to the Clinical Research Association for examination. (The C R A was a private institution in London which provided medical practitioners with the services of a fully equiped pathology department.)

There have been no cases of Enteric Fever or Puerperal Fever reported.

The infectious cases are sent to the Middlesbrough Sanatorium, and arrangements have been made for the retention of two beds for Smallpox cases at Hemlington Hospital. The ambulance is sent from the hospital for the

removal of the cases. Pulmonary Tuberculosis 3

Through the County Council cases were being sent to Wensleydale Sanatorium and the Morris Grange Sanatorium. There are three shelters for tuberculous cases in the District. The one at Ayton is at present

1921(Cont)

un-occupied. They have been kept in good order.

Your Sanitary Inspector as usual has paid great attention to the disinfecting of premises, and seeing that orders are obeyed. The only method we have for disinfecting is by fumigation, and if any other method is required we have to send to Middlesbrough.

Water Supply

The water supplies are the same as last year. Sewerage and Drainage

The Sewage Works is working satisfacorily.

The sewers have been kept in order, fortunately they have not required much attention except during the drought of last summer it was frequently necessary to flush the surface grates: the water seal unfortunately quickly evaporated and ventilated the sewers in undesirable places.

Scavenging

The contractor is getting £300 per annum. Your Sanitary Inspector reports that he is doing the work a good deal better than the old one, though there is still a good deal of room for improvement.

Slaughter-Houses

These have been visited from time to time. At present we have no bye-laws in force with respect to these, but application is being made to the Ministry of Health for the necessary powers to make bye-laws for this District for the licensing, registering and inspection of these places.

Dairies, Milkshops and Cowsheds Order

These have been visited from time to time and found satisfactory. The Stockton Co-operative Society are collecting a large quantity of milk in our District, and certain persons are selling theirs to them who are not registered, I would suggest that an advertisment be inserted that such persons must register themselves as required by the Act, and comply with the Council’s Bye-laws.

Bye-Laws: Tents, Vans And Sheds

Application is being made to adopt a model series of Bye-laws with respect to tents, vans and sheds. These are greatly needed, as there are a good many now in the District, and many complaints in connection with them. Your Sanitary Inspector and myself have for many years suggested in my Annual Report that closer supervision of these was necessary, and I am pleased that it is now likely that bye-laws will now come into force.

Building Bye-Laws

For a considerable time it has been considered necessary that our existing bye-laws, which were in force only in five parishes, viz. Great Ayton, Great and Little Broughton, Stokesley, Yarm and Hutton Rudby should be amended, so that they would be applicable to the whole area, and a committee appointed to consider the matter recommended, that the Model Rural Series of the Ministry of Health should be adopted with the addition of certain clauses as to the thickness of the walls and the width and thickness of the footings of walls, and apply to the whole area.

Plans and New Buildings

Messrs Tanfield, Hardy and Robson, 3 new dwelling-houses in California. Friends’ School, proposed alterations.

Mr Thomas Pearson, proposed new dwelling-house.

Mr Tingle, proposed temporary wood building for stationers shop and tea-rooms. Mr T Heward, proposed temporary wood dwelling-house in California.

Friends’ School, new wood Sanatorium.

Mr Fearnley, proposed new wood butcher’s shop.

1922 Deaths 26

Causes of death at all ages Whooping cough 3 1922(Cont

Influenza 3

Pulmonary tuberculosis 2 Other tuberculous disease 1 Cancer 3

Heart disease 2 Bronchitis 1 Pneumonia 3

Other respiratory diseases 1 Suicide 1

Other deaths from violence 1 Other defined diseases 4 Cause ill-defined or unknown 1

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases

Scarlet fever Number of cases for Ayton not specified. (Cases for District 11) Pneumonia 4

Tuberculosis 2

The shelter at Ayton is at present is unoccupied. It is kept in good order.

There were no cases of Smallpox reported, though there were four people who had been in contact with cases in Middlesbrough and Eston. Owing to the large number of children un-vaccinated now I would recommend bills being published showing the preventive power of the small operation: especially as we have so much connection with Middlesbrough and Stockton. A single case in this district would be a great expense.

Hospitals

Arrangements have existed since the first outbreak of smallpox for the retention of two beds at the Middlesbrough Smallpox Hospital, situated at Hemlington. Other infectious cases when desirable are removed to the Fever Sanatorium at Middlesbrough. They also provide the ambulance.

A supply of Diphtheria antitoxin is kept by the MOH. Water Supply

The Water Committee appointed during the year for the purpose of dealing with the defective water supplies in the District, especially with respect to Stokesley and Great Ayton, have done their work well, and have presented you with a carefully prepared report for supplying a good supply to those places where the supplies are defective. They suggest supplying Great Ayton from the water pumped from Gribdale Whinstone Mines. The water has been analysed and found of suitable quality but requires filtering to reduce excessive hardness.

Unfortunately a difficulty has however arisen through the Tees Valley Water Board having power to supply both Nunthorpe, Great Ayton and Stokesley, and are applying for powers to extend the time limit in the old Bill (which would have expired this year), and they also propose to include Kirby. It was decided to oppose the Bill unless the Water Company gave an undertaking to carry out the work within one year. I understand they are willing to carry

out their obligations within two years, and so far as Ayton is concerned I think it would be better for them to take the matter over, as the Ayton scheme would not be a paying concern, the cost of pumping the water would absorb the whole of the revenue derived from the water rates, and the initial outlay and attendance would be a considerable charge on Ayton.

Sewerage and Drainage

The sewage works continues to work satisfactorily but during the heavy rains we have had this winter the Ayton sewers have shown they are not large enough for the volume of water they are required to take.

Scavenging

Few complaints have been received: at the same time it would be better if they attended to some of the ashpits oftener than they do.

1922(Cont) Slaughter-houses

The proposed Bye-Laws are not yet in force, but the Ministry of Health have sanctioned your application and the Bye-Laws have been returned to the Ministry for their approval.

Bye-Laws; Tents, Vans and Sheds These Bye-Laws are now in force.

Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops’ Order

The new Milk and Dairies’ Act, 1922 came into force on September 1st, and the inspections are now being carried out and reported to your milk committee.

The Act gives you powers to refuse to register retailers if you are satisfied that the public health is likely to be endangered by the act or default of the persons applying for registration and prohibits the sale under heavy penalties of tuberculous milk.

The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries issue a pamphlet on the construction of Model Cowbyres which should be in the hands of every cowkeeper in the District. There are a few good byres in the District but there are a lot which require more light ventilation and better floors. There should be a law preventing all new cowbyres and sheds for calves being built without the plans being passed by Council.

Building Bye-Laws and Plans

At Great Ayton there seems to be an inclination to erect wooden buildings for all sorts of purposes, and as such buildings do not comply with the Bye-Laws now in force, except as exempted buildings, they cannot be approved, and as a rule they are unsightly and soon become a nuisance.

Plans have been approved for the following new buildings: Proposed new Assembly Room for Mr Dunning.

Proposed Fried Fish Shop for Mr Moody.

Proposed Ladies Cloak Room, Lavatory, etc. for the Trustees of the Church Hall.

1923 Deaths

At all ages 26

Cause of death at all ages Influenza 1

Tuberculosis, respiratory system 3 Other tuberculous disease 1 Cancer 1

Cerebral haemorrhage 5 Heart disease 3

Pneumonia(all forms) 2 Other respiratory diseases 1

Ulcer of stomach or duodenum 2 Other defined diseases 7 Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 1

Pneumonia 5 Tuberculosis 6

The shelter for tuberculous patients requires some repairs and would be better with a fence round it. The County Council have arranged for the examination of sputum in tuberculous cases.

There were no cases of smallpox reported during the year, though there were cases constantly occurring at Middlesbrough. I would again point out the danger of so many children being un-vaccinated: at present we are reaping the benefit of the previous law about vaccination but soon we will be loosing the protection it has given us, as is shown by the number of cases occurring weekly throughout England and Wales.

Water Supply

The water supply in the District is the same as in previous reports. We have not yet got the Tees Valley Water Company’s water to Stokesley and Great Ayton but there is more hope of it than there was last year. Sewerage and Drainage

The sewerage works continues to work satisfactorily.

The main sewer in California became blocked owing to the weight of the pipe of the old sewer laying on top of it breaking through into the drain below. Both pipes were properley repaired and the bottom one covered with cement in order to support the other.

The sewer in Station Road is to be extended to Highfield to enable that house to be drained into it 1923(Cont)

on condition that the owner of the house pays half the cost. Scavenging

The scavenging at Great Ayton during the past year has been far from satisfactory, and your Inspector found it necessary to report to you the neglect on two occassions during the year. The contractor appears to take no notice of his agreement with the Council and allows the ashpits and privies to get into a most disgraceful state. The agreement states they should be cleaned out once at least in every five weeks, but they are usually allowed to go about six months and in some cases considerably longer than that: and sometimes he only half empties them. Slaughterhouses

There are 22 slaughterhouses in the District and these have been visited from time to time and found on the whole to be satisfactory.

The bye-laws relating to slaughterhouses have not yet been sanctioned by the Ministry of Health: when they are they will help to strengthen the position of your Officers because there is a great lack of uniformity in how they are kept.

Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops’ Order

One hundred and fifty wholesale and retail dairies have been inspected during the year under the Milk and Dairies(Amendment) Act, 1922, and duly reported to your milk committee.

A large number of the byres inspected are not satisfactory and notices to remedy the defects are being served by your Inspector. The cows on the whole are very good and it was only necessary with respect to three cows to find fault. One cow was temporarily ill, another was dried off and is not to be milked again, and the other was put down. The latter two cows were suspected of having tuberculosis.

The remaining 96 byres will receive early attention.

Nursing

There is a trained nurse living in the village. She is also responsible for Childrens’ Welfare and School Nursing. There are seven Nursing Associations in the District that are kept up by private subscriptions, with help from the Guardians and in some cases from the County Council. Five of the nurses are trained Midwives: besides there is a midwife practising privately. Cemeteries

Arrangements are being made for the extension of the present cemetery. Plans and New Buildings

Proposed two new dwelling-houses in Linden Avenue for Mr F Burton. Proposed alterations to Southbrook for Mr Johnson.

Proposed new Fish Shop in Monkabecq for Mrs Davies. Proposed new dwelling-house in California for Mr H Heaviside.

Proposed new Butcher’s Shop in Arthur Street for Mr George Speary. Proposed additions to a house in John Street for Mr J Hatfield. Proposed new dwelling-house in California for Mr C Robson.

Proposed new garage and outbuildings in Bridge Street for Mr Stevens.

1924 Deaths 34

Deaths at all ages Whooping cough 1 Influenza 2

Tuberculosis, respiratory system 1 Other tuberculous disease 1 Cancer 4

Cerebral haemorrhage 1 Heart disease 5

Arteris schlerosis 2 Bronchitis 2 Pneumonia(all forms) 2

Other respiratory diseases 4 Acute and chronic nephritis 1 Premature birth 2

Death from violence 1 Other defined diseases 7

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 1

Scarlet fever 4 Pneumonia 1 Tuberculosis 1

The shelter for tuberculous patients at Ayton was so badly damaged there that your Inspector had to remove it to Hutton, or it is probable that in a short time none of it would been left.

Disinfectants have been supplied to all cases where required, and the premises disinfected by your Sanitary Inspector with his usual care.

Water

The Tees Valley Water has not yet got to either Great Ayton or Stokesley. I would like to point out that in my report

for 1920 I mentioned that the public pumps and several private wells had been condemned as unfit for domestic purposes after analysis but nothing had been done to alter the supply.

Sewage and Drainage

The sewage works continues to work satisfactorily.

The sewer in Station Road has been extended as far as Highfield and a new six-inch drain has been laid in Guisborough Road from the Council’s sewer to the Cemetery.

Scavenging

The work has been very unsatisfactory at Great Ayton and your Inspector has reported the state of affairs several times. The Sanitary Committee who visited Great Ayton during the year were also dissatisfied with the filthy state of the ashpits. I understand that a new scavenger will be appointed shotly and I hope we shall have the work done in a proper manner.

The Sanitary Committee inspected various yards where so many of the houses share one privy which is no one business to keep clean: action is being taken to make the owners increase the number of privies and in the end it is hoped that each cottage will have its own.

Slaughterhouses

These have been visited from time to time and found on the whole fairly satisfactory. The quality of meat killed in our District is good.

The bye-laws relating to slaughterhouses in our area have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Health and are now in force.

New orders have been issued by the Ministry relating to slaughterhouses and came into force on 1st January last. 1924(Cont)

Provision is made for the slaughter of animals other than in a licensed slaughterhouse, when such is necessary by reason of accident, injury, illness or exposure to infection.

Provision is also made for the marking of meat that has been inspected, protection of meat from flies, and from meat being otherwise contaminated, and for cleanly handling in transport.

Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops’ Order

There are 229 registered retail purveyors of milk, wholesale traders, or producers of milk in our District, who have 302 byres, containing 1,745 cows, and more registrations continue to come.

The cows with very few exceptions are all first class stock and in good condition.

All the premises have been inspected with a few exceptions and entered in detail in the Inspector’s report book. Several of the byres need attention: 46 notices to remedy defects have been served. These byres should be inspected not less than twice each year and this is impossible with the staff at present employed. In my opinion on account of the duties in connection with the dairies and the meat orders I think a second officer is necessary. School Children’s Meal

I am certain some of the children who come a mile or more to school suffer from not having a proper dinner. They bring very often only pastry or bread with them, a few may have sandwiches or hard-boiled egg. Amongst the young ones from the ages of 5 to 7 years I have had several complaints that the children are so excited at going to school and the fear of being late that they start without a breakfast, eat very little of what they bring with them, and return home exhausted.

New Buildings

Plans were approved for the following new buildings: Proposed new bungalow at Sunnyfield for Mr T J Burton. Proposed new storehouse in California for Mr W Metcalfe.

Proposed two new dwelling-houses at Langbaurgh Corner for Mr Harbottle. Proposed additions to Highfield for Mr M Pumphrey.

Proposed new shop and warehouse for Messrs Dixon Bros.

Proposed three new cottages and shop in California for Mr S R W Moody. Proposed new cottage in Church Street for Mr E N Nore

Proposed shop at Levenside for Mr Ogden.

1925 Deaths 27

Deaths at all ages Influenza 1

Tuberculosis of the respiratory tract 1 Cancer 5

Rheumatic fever 1 Heart disease 8 Bronchitis 1

Pneumonia (all forms) 1 Nephritis 1

Suicide 1

Other deaths from violence 1 Other defined diseases 6 Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 1

Pneumonia 2 Tuberculosis 2

Chicken pox has been prevalent in the District also measles, whooping cough and mumps to a lesser extent. Water Supply

1925 (Cont)

The water from the wells at Stokesley and a few at Great Ayton have been analysed and condemned as not fit for domestic purposes. These two places require a more satisfactory supply and at Stokesley there has been a decided increase in the number of people suffering from boils which probably can be accounted for by the water.

It had been expected that the Tees valley Water Board would have got their supply to Great Ayton and Stokesley as they have got Parliamentary Powers to supply those places. However up to the present they have not done so and it appears doubtful at the present time if they ever will.

Sewage and Drainage

The sewers have required a great deal of attention during the year, the main being blocked where it crosses the River Leven near Grange Mill and the overflow was also choked. These defects have been remedied. Scavenging

The work has been done during the year by the contractors very satisfactorily. At Hutton there is a monthly collection of old tins, bottles, etc; the contractor making a round of the village the first Monday of every month; the householders placing the refuse in boxes or pails in front of their houses.

This arrangement is working very satisfactorily and could with advantage be adopted at Great Ayton, Stokesley and Yarm.

Slaughterhouses and Public Health Meat Regulations

It is impossible for an Inspector of Nuisances, with his other work in a rural district, to inspect regularly all the slaughterhouses and animals that are slaughtered, some of them being sixteen miles apart. It is also impossible to inspect all the animals that require killing owing to some accident either in the fields or cow-byres.

All the slaughterhouses are now licensed or registered and have been inspected.

During the year the carcases of 3 beasts and 2 pigs were condemned and destroyed. Three prosecutions followed the condemnation of a beast which on inspection was found to be badly affected with tuberculosis and although the owners were aware of this they failed to notify it. All were fined.

The quality of the meat has on the whole been good. Most of the butchers are very good in keeping their shops clean but some are not so careful as they might be.

Dairies, Cowsheds and Milk Shops Order

There are now 250 registered retail milk purveyors either wholesale traders or producers of milk in our District compared with 229 last year and further applications continue to come in.

The cows on the whole are a good lot but some of the the byres need attention in regard to light, ventilation and drainage, some of the water supplies too are not as good as they ought to be.

The work of inspecting these byres occupies a great deal of the Inspector’s time and it is impossible for him with his other duties to do the work as it ought to be done.

Housing, House Building,Etc

Your Council have to date undertaken to give assistance for 30 houses to be provided by private enterprise by way of a lump sum of £75 per house: 2 are of the non-parlour type and 28 are of the parlour type. The foundations of all of them are laid, 28 are completed and ready for occupation. These houses have all been built of brickwork and roofed with slates or tiles.

There have also been 16 houses built during the year without subsidy. Four sites have been sold on the Council’s sites at Great Ayton.

The rents of these new houses are unfortunately above the means of those who are living in houses on the border line of being insanitary or overcrowded and as they are frequently taken by people outside the district it does not cause the general move that is desirable. There are several of these undesirable houses in Ayton, Yarm and Stokesley.

Plans were approved for the following new buildings:

Proposed new engine-house in Church Street for Messrs Dickson Bros. Proposed dwelling-house on the Council’s site for Mr T Mellanby. 1926

Deaths 30

Causes of death at all ages Meningococcal meningitis 1 Tuberculosis of respiratory system 1 Other tuberculous disease 2

Cancer 6

Cerebral haemorrhage 1 Heart disease 4 Pneumonia 2

Ulcer of stomach or duodenum 1 Diarrhoea (under 2 years) 1 Congenital debility 1

Suicide 1

Other deaths from violence 3 Other defined diseases 6 Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 1

Pneumonia 1 Tuberculosis 4

Measles, chicken pox, mumps and whooping cough have been prevalent over the District and interfered with the education of the children, but except at Ingleby Arncliffe it has not been necessary to close the schools. Puerpural pyrexia has been added to the list of notifiable dideases during the year.

Water Supply

The water supply of the Stokesley District is becoming a serious question. As I have often pointed out, all the wells are liable to pollution, and that a large number are polluted is proved by the various analyses that have been made. In my annual report for 1920 I pointed out that six or seven wells at Stokesley had been examined and the water of all of them condemned as not fit for domestic use, and the same occurs at other places e.g., Great Ayton.

The water from the well near the Buck Hotel is often unfit for use, but after the well is cleaned out the water appears to be alright for a time, but requires cleaning out in about a years time. In the well there is a drain which is supposed to be the overflow from another well nearby. On the recomendations of the Sanitary Inspector instructions have been given to take up this drain and divert it, as it may be the cause of the pollution.

The well behind Deuchar Terrace, which had not been working for some considerable time, has been cleaned out and sunk deeper, but the water is not satisfactory.

In the last few years a fair number of houses have been built and the owners have allowed them to be occupied without getting a certified water supply, which is quite illegal and renders the owners liable to be prosecuted. Some of the owners are already beginning to complain of the water supply.

There is also the question of the supply of good water for the dairy cows: at present large numbers of them are watered in stagnant water standing in ponds which are seldom cleaned out, and is liable to contaminate the milk they supply.

Sewage And Drainage

The sewage works has received attention and continues to give satisfaction. Scavenging

The work is done on the whole satisfactorily, although there are occasionally a few justifiable complaints owing to the scavengers being slack.

There is now a monthly collection of old tins, bottles, etc. which is working satisfactorily. Slaughterhouses and Public Health Meat Regulations

These have been inspected and found on the whole to be satisfactory.

1926(Cont)

Seven beasts slaughtered in the District were found to be suffering from tuberculosis and were condemned and destroyed; also one had had milk fever.

A new slaughterhouse licence was granted at Little Ayton. Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops’ Orders

The Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops’ Order, 1926, whichcame into force on October 1st, has been taken in hand. A copy of the chief provisions of the Order has been sent to all cowkeepers and dairymen in the District, together with instructions to all persons employed on farms and other premises used as dairies.

All applicants for registration have been duly registered and their premises inspected . Registrations continue to come in and it is quite evident that a number of persons have not yet taken the trouble to register or are evading doing so. Posters are being sent round the District warning such persons of the penalties they may incur by neglecting to register.

An additional Sanitary Inspector has been appointed whose chief duties are to work the Act. (Charles W Robson, Cert. Royal Sanitary Inst. Whole time official )

A few complaints have been received from Middlesbrough Sanitary Department with respect to dirty milk coming from our District. These particular cases received special attention from your Inspector and myself, and I am pleased to say with satisfactory result.

Housing, House Building, Etc.

Five of the building sites belonging to the Council have been sold. Four are already erected, three of them are subsidy houses.

A new order has been received which will reduce the amount of subsidy. Plans were approved for the following buildings.

Proposed two new houses on the Council’s site for Mr R Simpson.

Proposed alterations and additions to a house in Bridge Street for Mr Ward. Proposed two new houses on the Council’s site for Messrs. Robson Bros. Proposed new house in Linden Ave. for Mr T W Burton.

Proposed new bungalow on the Council’s site for Miss Harrison. Proposed new house on the Council’s site for Mr J W Parker.

1927 Deaths 45

Deaths at all ages Measles 1 Influenza 2

Pulmonary tuberculosis 1 Cancer 5

Cerebral haemorrhage 4 Heart disease 11

Arterio-sclerosis 1 Bronchitis 4 Pneumonia 5

Accidents and diseases of pregnancy 1 Congenital debility 2

Accidents 1

Other defined diseases 7 Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Scarlet fever 2

Pneumonia 1 Tuberculosis 4

Measles, mumps, chicken-pox, whooping-cough and influenza have been prevalent in the District and interfered with education in the schools,but it was not considered wise to close schools.

1927(Cont)

The infectious cases are removed in ambulances provided by Middlesbrough Corporation. Non-infectious cases are removed in ambulances provided through the police or the Red Cross Association.

Water Supply

Great Ayton and Stokesley are in need of a water supply. I am constantly asked in both places when are they going to have a water supply. The Tees Valley Water Board have the right to supply both places but take no steps to do so. Under the circumstances I consider you should proceed with a plan for a supply of water from the hills, where there must be a satisfactory amount of good water for the needs of the two places, as well as at Great Broughton, Carlton

and Hutton Rudby, where it is also needed.

The public well near the Buck Hotel has been cleaned out and the drain which used to run into it diverted and connected to the public sewer. No complaints respecting the water have been received since this was done, but there has been no analysis of the water made.

The private well at Monkabecq has been cleaned out and the pump repaired, and a new case fitted at Cliffe Terrace. Sewage and Drainage

A fresh attendant has been appointed at the sewage works and is giving every satisfaction.

A choked sewer was of a serious nature. The old sewer was left to take the the surface water only and, standing on top of the new sewer without any support, broke the sewer, and fell into it thus causing the stoppage. The pipes were repaired and encased in concrete and the old sewer relaid again on top.

The sewers require a great deal of attention especially at the lower end of the village where they have very little fall, which allows the sediment to be deposited on the bottom of the pipe, which, setting very hard, is difficult to remove; some of the pipes are nearly half full of it.

A four-inch drain was laid on the Council’s site to drain a wet part of the fields, and also to abate a nuisance by the side of the footpath pasing through the site.

Scavenging

The work is done on the whole fairly satifactorily and very few complaints have been received during the year. The greatest fault to find is that very often the privies are never completely emptied and it would be an improvement if they were all made into pan closets and there were also pans for ashes and refuse.

A new scavenger has been appointed and appears to be giving satisfaction. Slaughterhouses and Public Meat Regulations

There are 34 registered or licensed slaughterhouses in the District. On the whole they are kept in good order and the meat up to the average.

Eight beasts were condemned during the year as unfit for human consumption. Dairies , Cowsheds and Milk Shops Order

There are 545 registered premises and of these 522 were inspected during the year and 13 re-inspected.

A few complaints were received from the Middlesbrough Sanitary Department concerning dirty milk sent from our District and after taking up the matter with the persons concerned a decided improvement in the milk resulted. These complaints generally arrive either at hay or harvest time when the owners are exceptionally busy and unable to give the necessary supervision.

Nursing

There is no provision for nursing infectious cases e.g. Measles. Housing and Building Plans

Assistance has been given to persons constructing houses by private enterprise by way of a lump sum grant of £75 and 40 houses in different parts of the District have been built and completed in this manner. This figure represents the total number of houses for which the Ministry approved the granting of a subsidy.

Four new houses have been built on the Council’s site and it is probablemore wil be erected in 1927(Cont)

the near future.

The following plans were approved during the year:

Proposed alterations and additions to Highfield for M Pumphrey, Esq. Proposes additions to a house in Romney(sic) Road for Mr F Dodsworth. Proposed new dwelling house in Sunnyfield for Mr R Dunning.

The MOH report for 1928 in this series is missing.

1929 Deaths 44

Causes of death at all ages Influenza 5

Cancer 6

Cerebral haemorrhage 3 Heart disease 8

Arterio-sclerosis 1 Bronchitis 3 Pneumonia 5

Acute and chronic nephritis 1 Congenital debility 1

Deaths from violence 3 Other defined diseases 8

Infectious and Notifiable diseases Diphtheria 1

Erysipelas 1 Tuberculosis 1

The education in the schools has been interfered with by measles at Yarm, Great Broughton, Kirby, Kirklevington, Seamer, Ingleby Greenhow, Crathorne, Kildale and Hilton: by whooping cough at Great Ayton, Worsall, Ingleby Greenhow and Ingleby Arncliffe: by mumps at Yarm and Worsall; by chicken pox at Yarm and Kildale and by influenza at Hutton Rudby, Kirby, Kildale and Worsall.

It has not been found necessary to close any of the schools for any of the diseases: in fact I do not believe that closing the schools prevent the spread of the disease, it only soothes the nerves of the parents. The best preventative is plenty of fresh air and soap and water. Your Inspector has fumigated one or two of the schools, but this I consider is a waste of money unless the books are destroyed.

Water Supply

Now that Stokesley and Great Ayton have at last got a piped-in supply from the Tees Valley Water Board, which the majority of inhabitants thoroughly appreciate, I am pleased to report that a number of the villages are anxious to have the same mode of supply and do away with the dubious supply from the wells. A committee has therefore been appointed for that purpose who have engaged Mr Brooksbank, AMICE, to assist them.

Sewage and Drainage

The sewers in the District have not given much trouble during the past year, except for a few stoppages, which were not serious; and so far as Stokesley and Great Ayton are concerned the extra amount of water passing through them, owing to the water-supply being laid on, has been the means of cleansing them.

Scavenging

The contractor has carried out his work satisfactorily.

In some of the parishes a better arrangement for the collection of old papers thrown into the street is required. 1929(Cont)

Housing and Building Plans

The following plans have been approved during the year: Proposed garage at Spring Hill for Mr S Mitford.

Proposed additions to a house in Arthur Street for Mr T Mudd. Proposed detatched house on the Council’s site for Mr T Blakeborough.

Proposed conversion of existing earth- closets into W C’s at the Edward Kitching Schools for the N R County Council.

Proposed sub-station in Station Road for the Cleveland and Durham County Electric Co. Proposed amended plans for a detached house on the Council’s site for Mr George Fidler. Proposed detached house on the Council’s site for Mr J W Long.

Proposed amended plans for house on the Council’s site for Mr T Blakeborough. Proposed amended plans for house on the Council’s site for Mr J W Long.

Proposed pair of semi-detached houses on the Council’s site for Messrs Robson Bros. Proposed pair of semi-detached houses in Guisborough Road for Mr E Tanfield. Proposed garage in Frankfield Road for Mr D H Pearson.

The MOH report for1930 is missing from this series.

1931 Deaths 23

Deaths due to all causes Influenza 5

Cancer 3 Diabetes 1 Heart disease 3

Other circulatory diseases 3 Pneumonia 2

Nephritis 2 Suicide 1

Other defined diseases 3 Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 1

Scarlet fever 1 Influenza 8

Erysipelas 2 One case sent to the Sanatorium. Tuberculosis 1

The arrangements made with the Middlesbrough Corporation for the reception of the fever and smallpox cases have worked satisfactorily, and there is little difficulty in persuading the parents to allow the children to go, especially as there are buses running every half-hour. I am afraid this will not continue if arrangements are made for the cases to go to Guisborough, as is talked about, and there are buses only every two hours, besides which a fair number of the population live on the border of Middlesbrough.

Your Sanitary Inspector has seen to the disinfecting of the premises and lost no time in doing so, and it has been done thoroughly and satisfactorily as shown by the result, there being no case that could be traced to one removed. Water Supply

There are several houses in Stokesley and Great Ayton that are still using pump water, which is not satisfactory. In some cases it is most difficult to get the landlords to connect them up with the piped-in supply.

Sewage and Drainage

The sewage works continues to work satisfactorily. 1931(Cont)

Scavenging

The contractors have carried out their work satisfactorily and very few complaints have been received.

The separate collection of old tins, bottles, etc continues to work satisfactorily and is very necessary work as there is so much tinned food now used.

Slaughterhouses

Only one beast was condemned during the year. The meat retailed in the District is of good quality. Milk and Dairies’ Order, 1926

Cowbyres and dairies were inspected in Great Ayton during the year. Housing and Building Plans

At the beginning of the year a sub-committee of the Sanitary Committee was appointed to visit the yards and houses at Great Ayton, Yarm and Stokesley. This committee worked exeedingly hard and drew up a most valuable report which has been sent to every member of the Council, and also a copy to the Ministry of Health and the County Council. Every owner concerned in that report has had a copy sent to him relating to his premises with a request to comply with the requirements of the said committee.

These requirements include: general repairs to the property, spouting, concreting yards, relaying of defective drains, demolition of old buildings near the dwellings to provide more air space, the laying on of water from the Tees Valley water mains, the demolition of ashpits, and the conversion of all closets into water closets.

Some owners have already commenced to carry out this work. Unfortunately a large number of owners have no money for carrying out the work.

Several of the cottages on the farms that have been bought by the tenants during the last few years are beginning to fall into a dilapidated condition owing to the want of paint and general small repairs.

The following plans were approved during the year: Proposed wood erection at rear of house for Mr Petch. Proposed Organ Chamber for Weleyan Chapel. Proposed bungalow on Council’s site for Mr E T Robson. Proposed bungalow in California for Mrs Metcalfe. Proposed villa at Gribdale for Mrs Coates Hanson.

Proposed slaughterhouse at back of Eaton’s Row for Mr A Simons.

Proposed pair of semi-detached houses in Monkabecq Road for Mr Edwin Johnson. Proposed house in Linden Avenue for Mr W Brotton.

Proposed bathroom at Meadowville for Messrs Dixon Bros. Proposed garage at Beech House for Mr A Harrison. Proposed garage in California for Mr Foster.

1932

Since April 1st there has been added to your District part of the old Middlesbrough District: this part is mainly agricultural and also residential for the population of the neighbouring towns.

Deaths

Deaths due to all causes Influenza 1

Pulmonary tuberculosis 2 Other tubercular disease 1 Cancer 9

Cerebral haemorrhage 1 Heart disease 12 Aneurism 1

!932(Cont)

Other circulatory disease 2

Pneumonia 1

Other diseases of the liver 1 Nephritis 1

Suicide 1

Other defined diseases 4 Total 37

There has been an increase in the number of deaths at Great Ayton. The increase in the number of deaths is from 15 years upwards.

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Diphtheria 1

Enteric fever 1 (Afterwards turned out not to be enteric fever) Puerperal fever 1

Pneumonia 2

Tuberculosis of the lungs 1 Tuberculosis of other parts 1 Water Supply

Unfortunately a large number of the population prefer using the doubtful water from their wells rather than the pure water supplied by the piped-in supply of the Council’s and Tees Valley Water Board. The reason they often give is that they prefer the taste of the old water but the true cause often is they object to the cost. They forget the inconvenience and the cost of carrying the water often some distance before they can use it.

Samples of water taken from the pump at the back of Cleveland Street were found fit for use from chemical analysis, but when examined bacteriologically showed signs of pollution and is unsafe for domestic use.

I would recommend where there is a piped-in supply that all public wells be done away with. Sewerage and Drainage

The sewerage works receive a large amount of surface water which is undesirable for the efficient treatment of the sewage. A good deal of this water will come from the Council’s housing sites and it was also found that a flushing chamber in Station Road had not been cut off; this latter cause has now been remedied.

The sewage at these works flows by gravitation into a sediment tank and thence by land treatment. These works would be greatly improved by carrying out the scheme prepared by Mr Brooksbank. Scavenging

The contractors have done their work satisfactorily and only a few complaints have been received. Milk and Dairies’ Order 1926

There are 651 registered premises in the District.

Inspections were made at Great and Little Ayton. Notices were served requiring lime-washing to be done and structural defects to be remedied.

Conversions

The following new water closets and conversions from privies and ashpits or pan-closets into water closets were made during the year.

Three new water closets and 27 conversions. Housing and Building Plans

There are often complaints of travelling caravans camping at the side of the road for days and sometimes weeks. In the villages these can generally be dealt with as they have no public conveniences but in the country lanes it is more difficult and the farmers complain of them ruining their hedges.

Proposed building plans approved 1932 1932(Cont)

Pair semi-detached houses, Guisbro’ Lane, for Mr A Dowson. Pair semi-detached houses, Addison Road, for Mr G W Burton. House, Cherry Hill, for Messrs. W M Pumphrey.

Cottage, Langbaurgh, for Mr E Small.

Two houses, Guiborough Road, for Mr G Ingledew.

Public lavatories, High Street, for Great Ayton Parochial Committee. Bungalow, Langbaurgh Corner, for Mr A Pearson.

Two cottages, California, for Mr A Pearson. House, High Green, for Mr W Pearson.

Petrol pump, Romany Road, for Messrs. Blumers, Ltd.

1933 Deaths

Causes of death at all ages Diphtheria 1

Influenza 2

Pulmonary tuberculosis 1 Other tuberculous disease 1 Syphilis 1

Cancer 4 Diabetes 2 Heart disease 4

Other circulatory disease 1 Pneumonia 1

Appendicitis 1

Other digestive disease 1 Other violence 1

Other defined diseases 6 Ill defined cause 1

Total 28

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Scarlet fever 1

Diphtheria 1 Water Supply

Thirteen samples of water were taken and analysed: Chemically analysed 11

Bacteriologically analysed 2 Unsafe 1

Safe 12

Wells closed 1 Sewerage and Drainage

The sewage works is working satisfactorily. Scavenging

The work has been carried out satisfactorily and few complaints received.

A separate monthly collection of old tins, bottles, etc is working satisfactorily.

Slaughterhouses and Meat Inspection

The meat sold in the District is of good quality.

The Slaughter of Animals Act came into force on 1st January, 1934 and under the Act all slaughtermen must be licensed by the Local Authority and the mechanical stunning of all animals is now compulsory in the Stokesley Area.

1934 Deaths

Deaths due to all causes Tuberculous disease 1 Cancer 4

Cerebral haemorrhage 6 Heart disease 7

Other circulatory diseases 1 Respiratory disease 1 Peptic ulcer 1

Congenital debility 1 Senility 2

Violence 1

Other defined diseases 5 Total 30

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Pneumonia 1

Pulmonary tuberculosis 1 Other tuberculous disease 1 Water Supply

Water analysis during the year.

Public pump, High Green Chemical analysis: Safe Sewerage and Drainage

The following sewers were extended: Linden Road 180 yards.

Guisborough Road 50 yards Scavenging

The work has been carried out in a satifactory manner and few complaints have been received. Housing and Building Plans

(Incomplete)

1935 Deaths

Causes of death at all ages Diphtheria 1

Pulmonary tuberculosis 1 Cancer 7

Diabetes 1

Cerebral haemorrhage 5 Heart disease 9

Other circulatory diseases 1

Pneumonia 1

Other respiratory disease 1 Appendicitis 1

Liver diseases 2 Digestive diseases 4 Nephritis 1 Congenital causes 1 Senility 2

Other defined causes 1 Total 39

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Scarlet fever 3

Diphtheria 1 1935(Cont)

Pulmonary tuberculosis 3 Other tuberculous disease 1 Sewerage and Drainage

The sewage disposal works have been maintained by the attendants in a satifactory manner.

These works have now outlived their usefulness owing to the design being old and the site inadequate. Building developments, water supplies, and privy conversions have overtaxed the works, and it is important that the improvements and remodelling of these works be carried out without delay.

Difficulty has been experienced in tracing manholes on sewers, the same having been covered with road surface. During the year these manholes have been traced and the covers exposed and brought to the surface.

New sewers and extensions have been carried out during the year as follows: Linden Road, south side 50 yards.

Scavenging

Contracts have been renewed during the year and the work is being carried out satisfactorily. Slaughterhouses and Meat Inspection

Although there has been a marked increase in this work during the year, I am pleased to state that the butchers work in close co-operation with your Inspectors, and no difficulty has arisen with regard to the surrender of diseased carcases and in no instance have proceedings been rendered necessary.

Milk and Dairies Order, 1926

The value to the farmer of becoming an ‘Accredited Producer’ under the Milk Marketing Board Scheme has met with a ready response in this District, and during the year 19 farms have been licensed by the County Council as Grade A milk producers.

During the year 48 samples of milk were procured by your Inspectors and submitted to the Council’s bacteriologist for bacteriological examination. Six samples were positive for coliform baccilli but on subsequent sampling negative results were obtained.

Reports on 100 samples of milk procured by the Chief Sanitary Inspector of Middlesbrough were received during the year.

Conversions

Ten privy conversions were carried out during the year. Housing and Building Plans

Plans approved during 1935:

Office and warehouse, California, for the exors. Of S R W Moody.

Petrol filling station, Langbaurgh, for F L Byles Esq.

Pair semi-detached houses, Linden Road, for Messrs Robson Bros. (Incomplete. To be amended)

1936 Deaths

Causes of Death at all Ages Influenza 2

Cancer 2

Cerebral haemorrhage 3 Heart disease 4

Other circulatory diseases 5 Bronchitis 2

Pneumonia 5 Peptic ulcer 1 1936(Cont) Liver disease 1

Digestive disease 2

Acute and chronic nephritis 3 Congenital debility 2

Other defined diseases 4 Total 36

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Pneumonia 7

Erysipelas 1

Non-pulmonary tuberculosis 1

A scheme for the immunisation of school-children against diphtheria has been adopted, and copies of the scheme have been forwarded to each member of the Council and to all Women’s Institutes in the District. Cards of application have been forwarded to parents, and the scheme has been widely advertised

Water Supply

Samples of water procured for analysis during the year: Rear Cliffe Terrace Safe

Eatons Row Unsafe. Premises connected to TVWB mains. Mill Terrace Unsafe. Premises connected to TVWB mains. Frankfield Place Safe.

Hall Farm, Little Ayton Satisfactory alternative supply. Sewerage and Drainage

The sewage disposal works has been well maintained by the attendants.

Since my last report it has been decided to modernise these works. The estimated cost is £4,250 and a Ministry of Health inquiry is impending. Works of reconstruction are necessary, and have been advocated in my previous reports.

Scavenging

Annual cost of contractors £210 Slaughterhouses and Meat Inspection

The butchers give every assistance to your Inspectors incarrying out their duties. No prosecutions were necessary.

Conversions

One privy conversion was carried out during the year. Housing

The survey of working class dwellings, as required by the overcrowding provisions of the Housing Act, 1935, was completed during the year.

1937

Changes in Presentation of MOH Reports

In September 1937 Dr Yeoman retired after 48 years as MOH. His successor was Dr Arnold Brown who remained in post for 2 years.

The report presented in 1937 by Dr Brown was prepared along the lines of Ministry of Health Circular 1650. This was a much more concise and formal document with three sections: Section A, Statistics and General Conditions of the Area; Section B, General Provision of Health Services in the Area; Section C, Sanitary Cicumstances of the Area. Considerably less information on specific villages is available in these later documents.

Notifiable Diseases Scarlet fever 3 Diphtheria 10 Pneumonia 2 1937(Cont) Ambulance Facilities

The St John’s Ambulance Association ( Great Ayton Division ) serves the greater part of the District, and the Council have decided to make an annual contribution to the funds of the Division.

Cases of infectious disease occurring in the District are removed by the ambulance of the Middlesbrough Corporation to the Corporation Isolation Hospital, Middlesbrough.

Water

Public Water Systems Tees Valley Water Board

Connections to December, 1936 431 Connections during 1937 40

Water Analysis

Cottages, Bridge End Chemical examination— Unsafe. Tees Valley Water Board supply laid on.

1938

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Scarlet fever 24

Cases of scarlet fever occurring at school Marwood School 1

Edward Kitching School 5

About the time of these cases there was an increased incidence in the towns of Tees-Side and the cases that occurred in the rural district might be regarded as a spread-over.

Diphtheria 2

Children immunised against diphtheria to 1.1.38 149 Children immunised during 1938 pre-school age 4 Children immunised attending school 39

Total 192

The method of immunisation used was by two injections of diphtheria toxoid , consisting of 0.2cc and 0.4cc separated by an interval of 2—3 weeks.

Tuberculosis 3

The Edward Kitching School was disinfected during the year. Sewerage and Drainage

The sewage works were completed during 1938 and are functioning satisfactorily. Milk and Dairies Order, 1926

Perhaps the most satisfactory development during the year was the immense increase in the number of licences to produce tuberculin-tested milk. This development marks enormous progress in the provision of a safe milk supply and is one which particularly interests this District, an important milk-producing area.

Air Raid Precautions

Towards the end of the year the claims of air raid precautions pressed heavily on the claims of the Department, particularly from the time of the September crisis onwards. I am glad to state that up to the end of the year they did not interfere with the ordinary work although, as they become heavier, they must of necessity result in certain activities of the MOH being curtailed. Whilst this is regrettable, I feel— in the present state of national emergency— it cannot be avoided.

Retirement

After 30 years service, Mr F Bainbridge, the Sanitary Inspector retired from the service of the Council on the 30th September.

1939

Infectious and Notifiable Diseases 1939(Cont)

Whooping cough 2

This disease became notifiable from the 1st October, 1939. There were no deaths from this disease. Measles 1

This disease also became notifiable from the 1st October, 1939. There were no deaths. Evacuation Scheme

In connection with the Evacuation Scheme, the Council received into the area 2,699 persons at the beginning of September, of these 1,725 were unaccompanied school children. The valuable assistance of various voluntary bodies was much appreciated, and their active co-operation with this Department ensured the satisfactory dispersal of the evacuees.

The health of the children received into this area remained excellent during the year, and improvement in their physique was noted and no case of infectious disease occurred, although a few children with minor contagious skin ailments were treated at a hostel.

During the year the incidence of infectious disease was extremely low; notwithstanding the infiltration of town-bred children into the area, remarkably few notifications were received during the last quarter of the year.

Water Supply

Connections to December, 1938 532 Connections to December, 1939 27

Water is purchased in bulk from the Tees Valley Water Board and distributed through the extended mains which are the property of the Rural District Council.

Outbreak of War

During the year , up to the outbreak of war in September, the staff of the Department were actively engaged in carrying out duties imposed on the local authority in connection with the organisation of the ARP services, eg distribution of respirators and equipment, esablishing casualty service posts in the various parishes, preparing and maintaining records of enrolled volunteers, etc. On the outbreak of war further obligations were placed on the Department, the most outstanding of which was the duty of billeting under the Government Evacuation Scheme, and the Chief Sanitary Inspector was appointed Billeting Officer.

The 1939 MOH report was prepared by Dr F D Ross-Keyt.