Dr. P. X. Bermingham, began his report by referring to the town’s natural and social conditions.

He said that 181 deaths, ten fewer than in 1960, occurred during the year, giving a death rate of 10.42 per 1,000 of population.

“Once again it will be seen that the greatest cause of death was due to diseases of the heart and circulatory system (84), and the next greatest cause of death was cancer (40) which was one less than in the previous year.

Cancer

Lung cancer was the cause of six deaths, one less than the previous year. Deaths from respiratory causes (26 compared with 23 in 1960) had only twice previously been as high and there were two deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis – an increase of one on the previous year’s figure.

In 1899 the number of deaths in the district was 145 (of an estimated population of 12,345) while in 1961 the number of deaths was 181 (estimated population 17,360).

Highest

Births: two-hundred-and-eighty-two births were recorded, giving a birth rate of 16.24 per 1000 compared with 15.69 for the previous year. It is the highest recorded rate since 1948.

There had been six still-births, thirteen illegitimate births and for the seventh year in succession, no cases of maternal mortality.

Water

Water samples: Of 75 water samples which were taken during the year, 65 were reported to be “very satisfactory,” one “satisfactory,” two “suspicious” and seven “unsatisfactory.” The unsatisfactory samples were taken in connection with the laying of a new main. Subsequent samples were satisfactory.

Water consumption: Total consumption at Rushden and Higham Ferrers for the year was 249,274,000, giving an average consumption each day of 691,113 gallons. The total consumption per head per day in the towns had been 26.43 gallons (domestic) and 6.1 gallons (trade).

Smallpox: “The occurrence of cases of imported smallpox at the end of the year under review caused much concern throughout the country, said Dr. Bermingham.

“In the areas affected, long queues could be seen outside vaccination centres, and a considerable amount of panic occurred. All this could have been avoided if parents had taken the precaution of having their children vaccinated in infancy.”

Flu, Polio

Influenza: No deaths were attributed to this cause during the year. “It was not an influenza year, and cases were few.”

Poliomyelitis: “For the fifth year in succession no cases of poliomyelitis were notified. This is very satisfactory. The campaign waged against this disease has been most successful.

Tuberculosis: Five new cases of tuberculosis were notified, four respiratory cases and one non-respiratory. In 1941 there was a total of fourteen cases of tuberculosis (all forms), and in the year under review this figure had dropped to two.

Admissions to Rushden Sanatorium during the year were six. Ten people were discharged.