The following quote reflects the spirit of An interesting report in this regard should be cooperation and solidarity at the time of the epidemic: “But it is to the gallant spirit of self-sacrifice, which was displayed by so many, that we wish to call special attention: Despite the fact that the disease was so highly infectious, all the nursing and other work in connection with the hospital was carried out for the first ten days by purely voluntary helpers, and mere words are insufficient to record our gratitude for the manner in which ladies and gentlemen quietly and calmly risked their lives to assist their fellows in their hour of need. Almost every one contracted the disease as a result of a gallant and high hearted answer to the call for help. One, the late Mr H S Meyer, laid down his life and our sympathy goes out to his relatives. It is a matter for thankfulness that we do have to mourn the loss of any other of our hospital helpers” In fighting contagious diseases in animals and plants, the Town Council provided for the acquisition of different serums and chemicals. A regulation was promulgated for compulsory measures that would be taken in order to combat the disease. For instance, in November 1917 a decision was made to build a sheep-dip and residents were compelled to dip their sheep. At a Council meeting of 16 July 1914, the following three decisions regarding sanitation were taken: That the Town Clerk, during his next visit to Pretoria, purchase six lanterns for night sewage service; That 5 oxen should be bought; and That an assistant to the Sanitary Inspector be appointed. The minutes also mentioned that night services were to be delivered every night of the week except Sunday. The service, which consisted of conventional bucket system, was provided by way of a scotch-cart drawn by 2 oxen. Of course it was the tasks of Sanitary Inspector to perform his inspections at night, on foot. In 1919, the Council voted a horse and a bicycle in 1926 to the inspector, for the performance of his nightly duties. In one of his inspection reports, described the Sanitary Caretaker previous night’s catastrophe that went more or less as follows: while the two oxen before the scotch-cart were crossing the pavement, suddenly there was a tremendous noise that frightened and routed them. The night cart floated in the waterway and collided with a telegraph pole. Consequently, it was not only the telegraph pole and wires that ended on the road, but so did the scotch-cart’s load. On close investigation it was discovered that the noise was that of lions from a circus that was visiting the town. 50 mentioned: During the fighting of a mouse plague; the Health Committee was compelled to make use of a reasonable expensive toxin. One of the famous Pharmacists of his time and Council member Mr Kark, however, came to the rescue of the Health Committee by mixing his own poison, which was also much cheaper than the purchased product. The report to the Council was that Mr. Kark’s mouse poison was as effective as the otherwise more expensive preparation. Needless to say, the health services are today run on modern scientific basis industry, with appropriately trained staff. This table is indicative of the Health Department’s extensive services: Immunisations done – Official year 1979/80 Smallpox – 207 whites; 439 Blacks/Coloureds/Asians. Poliomyelitis – 419 whites; 975 Blacks/Coloureds/Asians. Diphtheria: clip-in-the jaw and Pertussis - 377 whites; 1047 Blacks/Coloureds/Asians Sewage The smiles disappeared as soon as the arrival of Holy Communion, which was held in Bethal on a quarterly basis. In their place appeared anxious, worried faces caused by the Town fathers’ steadfast principles say no work should be done on Sunday… The annoyance started when about 1,000 souls’ influx of people caused a huge sanitation problem, and as mentioned, the Town Fathers' belief that no work may be performed on Sunday only aggravated the situation. The given bucket system eventually gave in to the cargo. The state of affairs, did not only give the Town Fathers headaches, but also made sure that they meet each subsequent communion celebration with fear and trembling. But as the saying goes, when the emergency is at its height, the outcome is there. The gods were gracious to the Town Fathers and the first so-called septic tank was taken into use in a private resident in 1916. Needless to say, the system was unanimously approved and encouraged by the Council. With the advent of internal drainage, the Town Council set up Sewage water purification works. Currently attention is paid to the construction of a 5 MI/d activated works, at an estimated cost of R2, 3 million.
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