Dr. Baker, Medical Officer of Health, in the course of his annual report to the Rushden Urban Council, presented at the meeting on Wednesday week, says: The health of the community has been fully maintained up to the usual standard, if not above it, and that in spite of the nervous and mental strain under which most of us are existing.  One may reasonably assume that there has been sufficient food for all, if it has entailed more trouble to obtain, and will bear out what I have remarked in previous reports, viz., that under peace conditions and with ease of access the average individual consumed more than was either necessary or good.  If the quantity of food remains the same as during the last year no one need complain.  The quality is another matter.  I think there is no doubt that the quality has deteriorated, from several causes.  The actual nutriment contained in the same quantity is probably as much, if not more, but it is less easily digested, and, as the body is maintained by that which is digested and not by that which is actually eaten, more time and care should be spent over its mastication.  The bread, in spite of the abuse levelled at it and its non-attractive appearance, is wholesome and nutritious, but requires more mastication, or to be well toasted and eaten as cold toast, with what amount of fat is obtainable spread on it when cold.

  Beyond an outbreak of a mild type of measles in the Spring there has been no outbreak of acute infectious disease that can be classed as epidemic.  There have been the usual sporadic cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever, and erysipelas, which occur in most communities in due proportion to the population, though none of these occur in epidemic form.  The total number of infectious cases notified was 278, against 279 the previous year.  Measles account for 163 of the cases, mostly of a mild type.  There were 33 notifications of diphtheria, 27 of scarlet fever, 10 of erysipelas, one of puerperal fever, three of ophthalmia neonatorum.  There are no cases of enteric fever.  Forty-one cases of tuberculosis, against 35 in 1916 and 27 in 1915.  This does not of necessity mean an increase in incidence, but that cases are recognised in an earlier stage than formerly.  The question has arisen during the year whether this district is particularly prone to produce tuberculosis.  There is no evidence to justify this assumption so far as my own experience of 25 years in the area is of value.  I have no reason to conclude that it is any more liable to an undue incidence than any other areas of the same type of population and industry; the climatic conditions are much the same as in other districts in the county, and the housing on the whole is better.  Twenty-five deaths were registered as due primarily to tubercle, against 28 in 1916 and 22 in 1915.

  The number of births, 200, gives a birth-rate of 16.55 per 1,000 of the population, by far the lowest of which there is any record, the average for the whole country being 17.8.  Seven births were illegitimate.  Deaths number 123, a rate of 9.98 per 1,000 of the population, comparing favourably with that of 14.4 in the whole country.  Twelve deaths were registered under the age of 12 months, the death-rate being 60 per 1,000 births, against 56.1 in 1916 and 108.3 in 1915.  The decline in infantile mortality the last two years synchronizes with the work of the Health Visitors, and it is reasonable to conclude that the preventive measures now in vogue are having some effect.  Six deaths occurred from acute infectious diseases (three from diphtheria and three where the primary cause is attributed to influenza); in 21 cases the primary cause was tuberculosis; cancer and other malignant diseases claim nine; respiratory diseases, thirteen deaths (seven bronchitis, five pneumonia, and one other).

  Taking into consideration the stress of mind most of the inhabitants are experiencing and the fact that the physical strain all round has been greater and the opportunity for relaxation less, it would appear that under the old conditions the community was not getting the best out of itself and should teach us that reorganisation of our resources and capacities can easily produce a social organisation which should transcend anything yet achieved.  If we do not, the fault is with us, not with the means at our command, but many of the old fetishes must go and the old mistakes should light us to a new and better social organisation.

  Mr. Claridge said the report showed the health of the town to be good.  He could remember when the infantile mortality was 130; now it was only 60, a tribute to the excellent work of the Health Visitors.

  Mr. Spencer said that on the whole the report was an excellent one, but he deplored the increase in tuberculosis.