[Report 1954] / Medical Officer of Health, Great Torrington Borough.

  • Torrington (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1954
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1954] / Medical Officer of Health, Great Torrington Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/12 (page 4)
    INFECTIOUS DISEASES. The outbreak of influenza in the early months of the year was seasonal, and was mild in character. Three cases of influenzal pneu¬ monia were notified. There was an outbreak of Sonne dysentery in March and April, affecting chiefly school-children. Extensive bacteriological tests were performed and two carriers among the school-children were found and treated. During the Easter Holidays a circular letter was sent to the parents of every school-child, giving advice on the control of this disease. The epidemic of dysentery was widespread throughout the whole of Britain during 1954, the number of cases notified being the highest ever recorded. The following cases of infectious disease were notified during the year :- Dysentery... ... ... ... 34 Pneumonia ... ... ... 9 Scarlet Fever ... ... ... 4 Whooping Cough ... .. ... 1 Measles ... ... ... ... 1 Erysipelas... ... ... ... 1 TUBERCULOSIS. Two new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were notified during the year, and one previously notified case came to live in Torrington. The following cases were on the Register at the end of the year :- Pulmonary Male 8 Female 5 Non-pulmonary 2 2 VENEREAL DISEASE. No case of venereal disease has come to our notice : facilities for clinic treatment exist in Barnstaple. CARE OF EXPECTANT MOTHERS. There is no ante-natal clinic in Torrington. Expectant mothers receive ante-natal attention from their own doctors and from the District Nurse/Midwives, or attend at the Cottage Hospital. These arrange¬ ments are very satisfactory. Cheap milk (lid. per pint) is available for expectant mothers, orange juice at reduced price, and free cod-liver oil or vitamin capsules. Free dental treatment is provided.