[Report 1913] / Medical Officer of Health, Chatham Borough.

  • Chatham (Kent, England). Borough Council.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1913] / Medical Officer of Health, Chatham Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/66
    Borouob of Cbatbain. TO THE MAYOR AND CORPORATION. (jENTLEMEN,— I'he Report which I have the honour tO' present for your consideration deals with the various conditions affecting the sickness and mortality of the Borough during the year ending December 31st, 1913. The subject matter is arranged as in previous Reports, and follows the lines laid down in the Memorandum of the Local Govern- ment Board relating to Annual Reports of Medical Officers of Health. On the whole a satisfactory rate of progress can l)e noted, and the Members of the Council are well aware of the comprehensive and far-reaching character of the work of the Health Department. The Death Rate tends to diminish, a gradual improvement in the sanitary circumstances of the district is being brought about, housing conditions are rec'eiving special attention, the machinery for dealing with Infectious Diseases, including Tuberculosis, is becoming more effec- tive, and the lorig-talked-of scheme of Main Drainage has now assumed a practical shape. Its completion will take some years, but its inauguration will stimulate the progress of the district, and at the same time remove a long standing reproach. Adversely, individual sense of resjronsibility is lacking, and the education of the public in matters of general hygiene, infant manage- ment, and personal habits is greatly needed. They have yet to learn that in the maintenance of health and vigour, personal habits have a greater influence than surroundings, and that whilst much illness is avoidable in spite of defective drains and houses, on the other hand sanitary perfection counts for little if the personal habits are bad. Ignorance, prejudice and apathy are the greatest obstacles to progress. Matters which are specially commented upon in the ensuing jrages are the ap]ffication of Bacteriology in combating Infectious Disease, Tul)erculosis, Infantile Mortality, the treatment of Measles, the use of Antitoxin in Diphtlieria, the subject of Housing, and the methods of dealing with Househohl Refuse. In Eebruary, Dr. Manby, of the Local Government Board, visited the Borough, and during three days made an exhaustive inquiry and inspection with respect to the question of Housing and General Sanitation. The visit was of very great assistance to myself, and has enabled me to deal more effectively and confidently with problems respecting which I had some doubt as to the extent to which the support of the Local Crovernment Board would be forthcoming. Two