The Health of Rushden

The annual report of Dr. Morris, the Medical Officer of Health for Rushden, has been presented to the Urban Council as follows:-

The Rushden Urban District contains an estimated population of 12,961, as against last year when it was 12,585; being an increase of 376. The number of inhabited houses is 2,663, an increase of 88 from last year. The number of births registered have been 407, giving a birth rate of 31.4 per 1,000. The registered deaths have been 133, giving a death rate of 10.26 per 1,000.

The infant mortality has been 122.85 per 1,000, of which 16 have been premature.

Forty-three cases of infectious diseases have been reported, with 3 deaths.

Smallpox – No case has been reported.

Scarlet Fever – Eighteen cases have been reported, with no death.

Diphtheria and Membranous Croup – Four cases have been reported, with one death.

Measles – Not notifiable, no death.

Whooping Cough – Not notified, has caused 11 deaths – 7 under one year, 4 under 5 years.

Erysipelas – Eight cases, no death.

Enteric Fever – Thirteen cases, 2 deaths.

Diarrhoea and Enteritis – Four deaths, 3 under 1 year, 1 over 65 years.

Bronchitis is accountable for 15 deaths – 5 under 1 year, 3 between 1 and 5 years, 1 between 5 and 15 years, 1 between 25 and 65 years, and 5 over 65 years.

Pneumonia has caused 5 deaths – one under 5 years, 1 between 5 and 15 years, 2 between 15 and 25 years, and one between 25 and 65 years.

Phthisis has caused 9 deaths – 3 between 15 and 25 years, 6 between 25 and 65 years.

Heart disease is responsible for 14 deaths – one between 5 and 15 years, one between 15 and 25 years, 6 between 25 and 65 years, and 6 over 65 years.

Cancer and malignant disease caused 6 deaths – 3 between 25 and 65 years, 3 over 65 years.

There have been 9 accidental deaths – 2 under 1 year, 3 between 1 and 5 years, 3 between 25 and 65 years, one over 65 years. There have been 2 suicides, both over 65 years.

There has been a short supply of water owing to the new scheme not being yet completed.

Fifty-three factories and 251 workshops have been visited at intervals and are in a satisfactory state. Any defects have been promptly remedied.

Cowsheds, dairies, and milkshops are registered, have been inspected at intervals, and are kept in a satisfactory condition. Slaughter-houses are registered, have been inspected, and are satisfactory. Six samples of water have been submitted to analysis, four of which were found to be good, two being condemned as unfit for domestic use. Out-workers whose family have been notified suffering from any infectious disease have been prohibited following their employment in the house until the house has been thoroughly disinfected. The drainage is satisfactory, and the sewage farm well managed.

The low death-rate is sufficient evidence of the satisfactory condition of the town. The infant mortality is, however, too high, the premature deaths being 16 out of a total of 50 – nearly one third.

I beg to express my thanks to your Inspector for his valuable assistance and co-operation and the efficient way in which he has carried out his duties.

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Health & Sanitary reports