Catalogue description Folios 42-46. To: The General Board of Health. From: George Dugard, Chairman of the...

Folios 42-46.

To: The General Board of Health.

From: George Dugard, Chairman of the Local Board of Health, Barnard Castle [Durham/Yorkshire].

Subject Matter: Letter enclosing a resolution of a meeting of the Barnard Castle Local Board of Health, addressed to the General Board of Health, stating the regret of the Local Board that it still remains without the benefit of the provisions of the Public Health Act 1848, notwithstanding the town having petitioned the General Board in October 1848 to be placed under such Act. It is explained that since that period, the town has had 'a most severe visitation of cholera, which swept away 150 of its inhabitants, and incurred an expense to the town of upwards of £1000, which has been defrayed from the funds of the Union and by public subscription'. It is added that the disease has now, within the last few weeks, made its appearance in a 'most virulent form' in the immediate neighbourhood, and that Barnard Castle is at present afflicted with a 'severe visitation of small pox', and is in a 'very unprepared state to meet epidemic disease'. The Local Board prays that Barnard Castle may be placed under the provisions of the Public Health Act as speedily as possible. A copy of a printed notice, advertising the forthcoming visit of William Ranger, Superintending Inspector, to the town of Barnard Castle on 17 October 1849, is also included.