[Report 1947] / Medical Officer of Health, Spenborough U.D.C.

  • Spenborough (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1947
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1947] / Medical Officer of Health, Spenborough U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/36 (page 8)
    The number of routine samples of milk taken for bacteriological examination for Bovine Tuberculosis is not as high as we would like, but we have unfortunately been restricted in this for technical reasons at the Laboratory. The number of unsatisfactory samples of milk taken for other reasons appears to be high but these are not random samples and include special cases on which attention has been concentrated. The overall picture of our milk supplies appears to conform to that prevalent throughout the country. There is no doubt, however, that much distressing disease would be prevented by the compulsory pasteurisation of all milk supplies. The Ashpit Conversion Scheme has proceeded steadily and should be completed within the next year. The salvage returns, while not so great as we would wish, reflect great credit to all concerned with the administration of the scheme and collection of the salvage. Over¬ crowding and insanitary conditions of housing are unfortunately very prevalent, and the effects of these conditions, not only on the health of the people, but also on their happiness, are distressing in the extreme, and cause frec^uent disruption of married life. The Council's powers to alleviate these conditions by provision of new housing are of course limited but their anxious desire to do everything that they can is gratifying. Of all the conditions which are opposed to health, happiness and amenity within the area, the most imjportant are; atmospheric pollution, unsatisfactory housing and food rationing. W^e have been living for so long in an atmosphere of filth due to smoke that we have come to accept it almost without protest. It has been proved beyond dispute that it causes disease and disability. It certainly causes ugliness and destruction of buildings and materials. It affects our crops. It robs us of enormous sums of money and there can be little doubt that it must have a profound adverse psychological effect on our people. It can be abolished and the problem should be tackled nationally; we want a plan to work to, we want above all some hope that the question is being dealt with as a matter of urgency by those who govern our affairs. We have our plan to remedy our housing position—whether it is the best one or not appears to be a matter of political controversy— but at least we have our plan. Food rationing is claimed not to be adversely affecting our health as a nation. One suspects, however, that these claims are based upon studies of mortality figures and do not have regard to morbidity, lowered efficiency, stamina or mental attitude. Speaking by and large we are not having enough to eat of the right sort and there can be little doubt that we are suffering for it. The attempt to overcome this in the case of children and expectant mothers by dietary supplements is a wise decision. In conclusion I would like to thank the Chairmen and Members of the Health and Maternity and Child Welfare Committees for their support and encouragement. I would like also particularly to thank all rnembers of the staff of the Health Department for their loyalty, for their tolerance and for their constant endeavours to maintain the Health Services of the area at a high pitch of efficiency. I am, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, Your obedient servant, W. M. DOUGLAS, Medical Officer of Health.