In September 1898 several cases of typhoid were reported in Rushden, and by the end of the month there were 13 patients suffering from the fever. The County Medical Officer for Health, Dr. Paget, was called in and together with Dr. Owen, Rushden’s Medical Officer, a thorough inspection of the whole area where the fever existed was carried out.
Dr. Owen reported to the Rushden Urban District Council that the cases were traced to West Street and Green’s Yard. Eight of the thirteen cases had their water supply from a surface well, the pumps of which were situated against the back premises of the house occupied by Joseph Green, a pork butcher. The sewer which connected to West Street was infected with typhoid excreta earlier in the year.
Dr. Owen
When the premises were inspected it was found that within a few feet of the well there was a large gulley which was full of fat and other meat debris. There was also fat and bone on the bricks near the well. The slaughter-house was near the well and was in a dirty and unsanitary condition. The walls were covered in blood and the floor porous and worn allowing much leakage into the soil beneath. Lime washing and proper flushing had not been carried out. Dr. Owen and Dr. Paget agreed that the water was the main cause of the outbreak and ordered that the well water was not to be used for drinking purposes.
Next door to Mr. Green, at 117 High Street lived Robert Hooper, a fishmonger. At the Council meeting Councillor Miller asked what Mr. Hooper did with his stale fish. The chairman, Mr. John Claridge, replied that he couldn’t say, but there was a cess pit at the back of the premises which contained matter it ought not to. Mr. J. B. Martin, the Inspector of Nuisances, reported that Mr. Hooper was in the habit of washing his fish and throwing the water down in the street.
The row of shops where the premises of Joseph Green and Robert Hooper were.
The same row showing the turning into West Street
It was decided that the Clerk, Mr. G. S. Mason, take the necessary steps to close 3 wells – those of Mr. Samuel Knight, Mr. Green, and Mr. Compton. The Surveyor, Mr. W. B. Madin, was instructed to report as to the necessary steps to have the slaughter-house put into sanitary condition, and Mr. Hooper was to be instructed to abate the nuisance regarding the fish water.
The Clerk, Mr. G. S. Mason
The Surveyor, Mr. W. B. Madin
Unfortunately, a year later there was still a problem with drainage on the premises of Mr. Green and Mr. Hooper, and the Council was recommended to serve notice on them requiring the work to be carried out or proceedings would be taken.