[Report 1896] / Medical Officer of Health, Startforth R.D.C. Romaldkirk Division.

  • Startforth (England). Rural District Council (Romaldkirk Division)
Date:
1896
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1896] / Medical Officer of Health, Startforth R.D.C. Romaldkirk Division. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1/4
    Romaldkibk, 24th Febbuaby, 1897. Gentlemen, I beg to lay before you my Annual Report for the Romaldkirk Division of the Startforth District of the Teesdale Union. 1st Quarter. During the first quarter of the year, there was one case of Scarlet Fever in Mickleton, which occurred in the same house as the case in December of 1895. This case terminated fatally. There were several cases of Measles in different Townships of the district, but in Cotherstone it spread so rapidly that the Schools had to be closed for a time. One case terminated fatally, a woman of 74 years of age. 2nd Quarter. There were a few cases of Whooping Cough in the Mickleton township. 3rd Quarter. There was one case of Erysipelas in Cotherstone. 4th Quarter. There was no case of Epidemic or Infectious Disease in the district. The case of Scarlet Fever in Mickleton was contracted from the case which occurred there at the very end of the previous year Considering the number of cases of Measles which occurred, and which must have numbered over 100, and many of them of a severe type, it was very fortunate that only one death was caused by it. Deaths. The number of deaths in the district, during the year, is the smallest it has ever been during my 18 years acting as M.O.H., viz , 34, aud are divided amongst the townships as under :— Cotherstone ... ... .....8- -equals death-rate of 9'2 per 1,000 inhabitants. Hunderth waite .3 33 8.3 33 Romaldkirk ... .5 33 17*4 33 Mickleton .... .11 33 165 33 Lunedale . .6 33 168 33 Holwick ... . ... .1 33 4.2 33 common death-rate on the whole district of 12'5. In tabulating these death rates I have taken 100 off the population of Cotherstone, and 50 off that of Hunderthwaite, owing to the decreased number of navvies in those townships. Zymotic Deaths. There were only two deaths from Zymotic disease, viz., the case from Measles in Cotherstone (it is very exceptional to have a person so advanced in life as 74 years attacked by this disease) and one from Scarlet Fever at Mickleton. Pulmonary Complaints. The number of deaths from Bronchitis, Pneumonia, and Pulmonary Phthisis is 7, or 4 below the average of past years. Births. There have been 76 births during the year, being a birth-rate of 28'8 per 1000. Cotherstone. Considering that the village of Cotherstone is increasing in size every year, and, as there is neither a proper drainage system in the village, or a good supply of water, I consider that it is absolutely necessary that your Board take immediate action to remedy these defects, and so make Cotherstone what it claims to be, “ a health resort.” Romaldkirk. The drainage of this village is bad, and the offensive and insanitary privy and ash pit still remain within two yards of the public footpath, in the centre of the village. These things I have reported year after year, and they are, I consider, getting gradually worse, for the smell from the drain was so bad last summer that I feared Typhoid Fever would break out. I strongly advise your Board to take steps to remedy these before next summer. Mickleton. The new drainage system here is, I believe, acting well. Farm Houses. The farm houses are getting gradually improved, and in a better sanitary condition, but there are still a number of cow byres draining into the public roads. Many of the byres also want more light and ventilation.