There were 308 births in Rushden during 1947 – the greatest number since 1920.

In his annual report for 1947, the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. T. W. Reid) states that the vital statistics are satisfactory and that epidemics gave no cause for anxiety.

Of the 308 live births in Rushden, 155 were male and 153 female. There were ten illegitimate live births and six stillbirths. From all causes there were 200 deaths, 103 male and 97 female.

With an estimated population of 15,440 persons, the birth rate per thousand of the population was 19.94, the rate for the whole of the country being 20.5.

318 Journeys

The total number of deaths was 15 more than in 1946, although the same number of females died in 1946 and 1947. Only one death was due to maternal causes, and it was the first since 1938.

The Rushden and District Motor Ambulance Association’s two vehicles travelled 9,640 miles on 318 journeys, the greatest number since 1944. The three midwives and one nurse of the Rushden Nursing Association made 4,730 visits.

Twenty-three of the 96 samples of milk taken for bacteriological examination were classified as bad. This the Medical Officer regards as “not satisfactory.” Ten samples of ice-cream were taken and four were “bad.”

During the year the Sanitary Inspector made 309 visits to the slaughterhouse and 11,458 carcases were examined. There were 51 tons of meat and offal condemned.