[Report 1956] / Medical Officer of Health, Norham & Islandshires R.D.C.

  • Norham and Islandshires (England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1956
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1956] / Medical Officer of Health, Norham & Islandshires R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health 1956 To the Chairman and Members of Norham and Islandshires Rural District Council Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, I have pleasure in submitting my Annual Report for the year 1956 regarding the health and sanitary conditions of the district. The estimated mid-year Home Population has again dropped this year by a total of 50 and this trend has now persisted for six years. The number of births also fell, from 52 in 1955 to 46 in 1956 giving a rate of 10.79 per 1,000 of the population, against the national rate of 15. A drop in the number of deaths was more satisfactory, repre¬ senting a decrease of 6 between 1955 and 1956 and producing a rate of 12.21 per 1,000 population compared with 11.70 for England and Wales. Two deaths were caused by lung cancer, accounting for 28.57 per cent, of male cancer deaths. The national average is 30.77 per cent. Another increase was recorded in the number of infants dying under 1 year of age. Five were registered compared with 3 in the previous year. This rate of 108.7 per 1,000 live births is the highest recorded for over 20 years (Table 3), and must be related to the national rate of 24.9. Four of the deaths occurred within the first two weeks of life and in only 1 case was there a possibility of prevention. I am pleased to report that no stillbirth was registered. 1 he infectious diseases during the year were quiescent, although 1 case of tuberculosis was notified. The attack on Poliomyelitis commenced this year by the inoculation of 25 children from the district with the British Vaccine. It is hoped that, like diphtheria, this crippling disease will become practically extinct. Fack of adequate sewerage systems at Cornhill and Holy Island has retarded the house building programme and, in consequence, slum clearance. Finally, may I express again my appreciation of the kindness I have received from the Chairman and members of the Health Com¬ mittee, and also my gratitude to Mr. Senior and Mr. Peters for their help during the year. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Medical Officer of Health.