Rushden’s death rate last year was the highest since 1921, and births exceeded deaths by no more than nine.

  This is the pith of the annual report presented on Wednesday by the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. O. A. J. N. Muriset, M.D.

  Eighty-five males and 83 females were born, and the birth rate, though not the lowest on record, was only 11.69, whereas the rate for England and Wales was 14.4.  There were in addition eight still births, and of the live births nine were illegitimate.

  Death removed 79 males and 80 females, and the death rate was 11.06 as against 12.3 for the whole country.  Though this was the highest rate since 1921, the infant mortality rate of 44.02 was a considerable improvement and ranked as the best since 1930.  Only eight infants died under the age of one year.

  The national infant mortality rate was now 64.

  Twenty deaths from cancer was the highest figure since 1929, and the total of 53 deaths from diseases of the heart and blood vessels was the highest on record – “a somewhat alarming increase.”

  Sixteen persons died of tuberculosis – another case of increase – but the bronchitis and pneumonia figures represented a marked improvement.

  The mortality statistics evidently did not reflect the general health of the town, which, the doctor reports, was on the whole very good.  Rushden was spared an influenza epidemic; scarlet fever cases numbered seven as compared with 38 in 1932, and there was only one case of diphtheria.

Careless Parents

  Measles, however, was extremely prevalent, and largely accounted for 21 cases of pneumonia.  “The extent of the measles epidemic,” states Dr. Muriset, “emphasizes the fact which has been laboured in previous reports, that parents still do not pay sufficient attention to the isolation of infectious diseases.”

  The doctor has words of praise for the local health services.  Of the Manfield Orthopaedic Clinic he says: “It is astonishing to see the number of patients who attend for treatment and advice – so much so that one wonders how the town managed before this clinic was established.”

  The Maternity and Child Welfare Centre is “well attended by the young mothers of the town, who obviously appreciate the advice and help given.”  To this tribute the doctor adds: “The good work done at this Centre has, I am sure, a great deal to do with the improvement in the infant mortality which has been noted during the last few years.”

  There are no local arrangements for dealing with the problem of the unmarried mother and her child, but the Moral Welfare Association “does a great deal to fill this deficiency.”

  Of the Tuberculosis After-Care Committee Dr. Muriset reports: “The visiting committee keeps a watchful eye on the patients, who are thereby made to feel that the town truly has their welfare at heart.  Needy cases have been provided with extra nourishment, but the functions of this committee are much wider than this.  During the last year a number of patients have been instructed in leather and bead work and the articles produced have been sold.  This not only provides patients with an interesting occupation which helps to pass the often weary hours for them, but also provides them with a little pocket money.  The interest of the committee has assisted some of the patients in finding suitable work and also, in a few instances, been the means of providing better housing accommodation.”

Safe Swimming

  There is an important paragraph on the Public Swimming Bath.  During the latter part of last summer rumours were current casting doubt on the cleanliness of the water and suggesting that contamination was causing respiratory disorders.  Samples of the water were sent to Northampton General Hospital, and the result of the bacteriological investigation of all samples was to establish the extra-ordinary purity of the water, a fact which called forth a special remark from the pathologist.  The third sample proved the efficiency of the chlorinating process, for the amount of free chlorine present in the water was not excessive.”

  “The rumours,” writes Dr. Muriset, “were thus completely refuted.  The town may congratulate itself in having a swimming bath which can be used with absolute equanimity.”

  In a separate report the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. Frederick S. F. Piper) states that he made 1,475 inspections in the town and served 161 preliminary notices, also sending 29 cautionary letters.  As a result of the notices 458 defects were remedied.

  The Sanitary Inspector dealt with 176 complaints, some of which, he says, required a detective rather than a Sanitary Inspector.

  Mr. Piper shows by the results of bacteriological examinations that a very good clean milk standard was maintained in the town throughout the year.

  In presenting his report at the Rushden Urban District Council’s meeting on Wednesday, Dr. Muriset said the population of the town was estimated to have increased by 180 to 14,870.  There had been 118 new houses, and only 108 houses were now occupied by more than one family.  This showed that overcrowding was being very well dealt with.

  The infant mortality figure, he observed was extremely satisfactory.  With regard to cancer, there was in 1932 a considerable drop in the number of deaths, but, as he pointed out then, it was not to be expected that it would be maintained.

  Calling special attention to his notes on the swimming bath, Dr. Muriset said the pathologist asked if there had been some mistake, as the water was so extremely pure.  The water in the bath was, in fact, almost purer than the drinking water.

Less Infection

  “There were only 36 cases of infectious disease notified,” said the doctor, “and there has been a marked fall in infectious disease right back to 1918.  In 1925 there was in increase, but that was due to an outbreak of smallpox, while chicken-pox became notifiable for the first time.  If you knock out that year you will see that there has been a steady improvement, and the improvement has been chiefly under the heading of scarlet fever.  In spite of the increase in the number of cases of pneumonia last year, there were only four deaths from that cause.”

  Mr. Spencer, without whose comments on the falling birth rate no Health Report night is complete, moved a vote of thanks to the doctor.  “The report on the whole is a very good one,” he said.  “There is a satisfactory side and the unsatisfactory side.  The satisfactory side is less people living in rooms and that there has been a decrease of infant mortality, but to my mind we are getting an older population, and the decrease of the birth rate is alarming.  As you see, there were only nine more births than deaths.

Dying – Plenty Of

  “I think I pictured some years ago that there would be a time when, with the deaths exceeding the births, Rushden would begin to die out.  I do not yet seriously entertain that prospect, but from many standpoints the position is not helpful to the town.

  “For those of us who are desirous of seeing a new school in the Wellingborough-road district it makes it difficult to make out a case.”   Mr. Spencer described the increase of cancer and heart disease as very unsatisfactory, and added that they had hoped that science would help to make the number of deaths considerably less.

  Going on to slum clearance, Mr. Spencer said he wished to thank the Medical Officer, the Sanitary Inspector and also the County Medical Officer for their work in this matter.  He did not always agree that the County Council gave efficient service, but in this case he certainly believed the Medical Officer deserved a word of praise for his inspection and report on property in Rushden.  Dr. Greenfield, Mr. Hornsby and the late Mr. Tysoe had assisted in visiting about 150 houses, and although they could not at once see the reward of their labour, they hoped that their recommendations would be carried out.

  Mr. Wilmott seconded the vote of thanks.  “As far as my humble opinion goes,” he said, “everything is very satisfactory with the exception of the birth rate.  I want to back my friend up in that.  There is only one year when the birth rate has been lower, and that was 1931.  I hope it is not getting serious.”

Babies!  Out?

  Mr. Perkins did not agree.  “I don’t like this to go out unchallenged,” he said.  “I think as conditions are, with the uncertainty about work, that the young people are wise.  I want to get that word in.”

  Mr. Green failed to draw Dr. Muriset on the subject of the increase of heart disease.

  Mr. Allebone was emphatic about the baths.  Many people, he knew, said “Is it ever clean?”  “Do we ever have fresh water?”  “It is not fit to bathe in” and so forth.  But the analysis was very gratifying, and he hoped it would be a means of satisfying some of the grumblers.  Later in the meeting there was a resolution congratulating the Infant Welfare Centre on its national successes.  “May I support that?” said Mr. Perkins, “on the basis of quality rather than quantity?”

  And that was the last word on the birth rate.