At a meeting of the Rushden Urban Council on Wednesday evening the report of the Medical Officer (Dr. Morris) for the year ending December 31st 1904, was presented as follows:-
The Rushden Urban District contains an estimated population of 13,713 as against 13,337 of last year. The number of inhabited houses is 2,744 and the number of new built houses during the year is 57. The number of births registered have been 387, giving a birth-rate of 28.22 per 1,000. The registered deaths have been 159, giving a death rate of 11.59 per 1,000. The infant mortality has been 118.86 per 1,000, of which 10 have been premature, as against 91.58 per 1,000 last year. This, although high, is considerably below that of large manufacturing towns.
There have been 183 cases of infectious diseases notified during the year with 30 deaths.
Smallpox – No case has been reported.
Diphtheria – Six cases have been notified with one death.
Scarlet Fever – 151 cases have been reported with 6 deaths, three being between 1 and 5 years and three between 5 and 15 years.
Measles – Not notifiable, has caused one death.
Whooping Cough – Not notifiable, has caused 7 deaths.
Erysipelas – 21 cases have been notified with one death, which was under one year of age.
Enteric Fever – There have been five cases notified with no death.
Diarrhoea and Enteritis – Not notifiable, has caused 14 deaths, 11 under 1 year and three between 1 and 5 years.
Scarlet fever has been prevalent during the year, having been first imported from Northampton and Chesham. It has been of a mild type.
Bronchitis has been accountable for 13 deaths, 5 under 1 year, 4 between 1 and 5 years, and 4 over 65 years.
Pneumonia has caused 2 deaths both between 1 and 5 years.
Phthisis has caused 13 deaths, 1 between 5 and 15 years, 6 between 15 and 25 years, and 6 between 25 and 65 years.
During the past few years there has been a popular craze about the prevention of consumption, which has been taken up by many of the so-called heads of the profession, which has resulted in the opening of Sanatoria for the outdoor treatment of the disease, and which are only available with few exceptions to those of ample means. Many no doubt have derived a considerable amount of benefit, and a few have been able to follow suitable employment, if they can get it, after a prolonged course of treatment in these homes, but can treatment be called prevention? The cause of the increase of consumption is the desertion of the rural out-of-door occupation of agricultural pursuits for the crowded factories of towns, together with the restless life of pleasure and excitement of modern times.
Heart disease has accounted for 15 deaths, 10 between 25 and 65 years and 5 over 65 years.
Cancer and malignant disease have caused 14 deaths, 10 between 25 and 65 years and 4 over 65 years.
There have been 4 accidental deaths, 2 under 1 year, 1 between 1 and 5 years, and 1 between 25 and 65 years.
Three cases of suicides have been reported, 2 between 25 and 65 years, and 1 over 65 years.
Factories and workshops have been inspected at intervals during the year. Outworkers to the numbers of 468 have been visited in the town. A return of 169 hand workers for Rushden firms have been sent to the Sanitary Inspectors in whose districts they reside twice during the year.
Slaughter-houses, cowsheds, and dairies have been visited during the year at intervals.
Two samples of water have been examined, one of which was satisfactory, the other recommended to be boiled before being used.
The new waterworks are being carried on as expeditiously as possible, and when completed the town of Rushden will be admirably supplied with good water.
The drainage of the town is satisfactory and sewage farm well managed.
Several privies have been put on the water carriage system. There are still a good number on the pail system, which will be considerably reduced when the adequate supply of water can be obtained. The death-rate, although rather higher than last year, is below the average for England and Wales, and must be considered as satisfactory.
In conclusion, I have to thank your Inspector for his assistance and co-operation in carrying out our united duties.
