On Wednesday, at the meeting of the Rushden Urban Council, Dr. Morris (Medical Officer of Health) presented his report for the year 1905, as follows:-

The Rushden Urban District contains an estimated population of 14,089 as against 13,713 of last year. The number of inhabited houses is 2,761, an increase of 17 from last year.

The number of births registered has been 328, giving a birth-rate of 23.28 per 1,000. The registered deaths have been 117, giving a death-rate of 8.3 per 1,000, being considerably below the average of the whole of England and Wales.

Infant Mortality

The infant mortality has been 109.75 per 1,000, of which 12 have been premature, as against 118.86 per 1,000 last year.

Zymotic Diseases

There have been 299 cases of infectious diseases notified during the year with 18 deaths.

Smallpox – No case has been reported.

Diphtheria – Seven cases have been notified, with three deaths.

Scarlet Fever – 276 cases have been notified, with 14 deaths, six being between one and five years, seven between 6 and 15 years, and one between 15 and 25 years.

Measles – Not notifiable, has caused no death.

Whooping Cough – Not notifiable, has caused four deaths, two being under one year and two between one and five years.

Erysipelas – Sixteen cases have been notified, with one death.

Enteric Fever – No case has been reported.

Diarrhoea and Enteritis – Not notifiable, have caused three deaths, two under one year and one between one and five years.

Scarlet Fever has been very prevalent, but generally of a mild type.

I have always been surprised why Erysipelas was included in the Notification Act, as during the whole time the Act has been force it has not been contagious, but rather of an erythematous character. It is also a positive fact that nearly all infectious diseases have increased since the Act has been in force.

Respiratory Diseases

Bronchitis has caused three deaths, two under one year and one between one and five years.

Pneumonia has caused one death, which was over 65 years.

Phthisis has accounted for four deaths, three between 15 and 25 years and one between 25 and 65 years.

I have nothing further to add to my previous remarks on the prevention of consumption. Several cases have come under my notice that have been to Sanitoria, improved for a time, but have been fatal soon after they came home.

Heart Disease

Heart disease has caused 13 deaths, one being under one year, one between 15 and 25 years, four between 25 and 65 years, and seven over 65 years.

Cancer and Malignant Disease

have caused seven deaths, five between 25 and 65 years and two over 65 years.

There have been no deaths from accidents, and no case of suicide has been reported.

Factories and Workshops – Forty-two factories, 150 workshops, and 253 home-workers’ premises have been visited at intervals during the year and found to be satisfactory.

I have always found the manufacturers and occupiers of workshops, &c., willing to carry out any suggestions that have been recommended, and in no instance have extreme measures been found necessary.

Fifty-nine nuisances of various kinds, including blocked drains, have been abated.

Three samples of water have been examined, all of which were found to be good.

The Water-works are making progress, and I hope ere long to be able to report their completion, when the town of Rushden will compete successfully with other towns.

The Sewage Farm and the drainage generally is in a satisfactory condition.

The low death-rate is sufficient evidence of the satisfactory condition of the town.

In conclusion, I beg to tender my best thanks to your Inspector for the assistance he has so courteously rendered in carrying out our united duties.