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

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

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

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

    5/50 (page 3)
    ANNUAL REPORT of the medical officer op health for 1954 To The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of The Borough of Stourbridge Mr. Mayor, Cr. Miss Davies & Gentlemen, I have the honour to present to you my Annual Report for 1954. The general health of the Borough continued satisfactory during the year. The number of deaths increased from 354 do 420, giving a death rate of 10.9 Per thousand, as against 11.3 for England & Wales. There was an increase in cancer mortality - from 58 cases to 77. Deaths from heart disease also increased - from 122 cases to 128, whilst mortality from the respiratory diseases Influenza, Bronchitis and Pneumonia rose from 39 cases to 44. The Borough’s record of immunity from Diphtheria incidence in recent years was broken when a confirmed case was notified. This related to a person of 58 years of age, who it is believed contracted the infection abroad. The patient made a good recovery. Although no efforts are spared in the propa¬ ganda field to stress the importance of immunisation, parents cannot be too often reminded of the protective value to their children of immunisation. There is an ever¬ present risk of contracting this disease, with effects which may prove fatal. Scarlet Never incidence was almost halved compared with the previous year when there were 104 cases. The infection was of a mild type and no death resulted. Measles was almost non-existent during the year, there being 4 notifications only, compared with 498. Whooping Cough notifications showed an increase of 60, as against 72 cases in 1953. There was no death from either of these infections. Two cases of Poliomyelitis were notified, compared with one in the previous year. In both cases boys (ages 8 years and 16 months) were affected and each recovered. Of the 29 cases of jysentery recorded, 28 occurred about the middle of the year in a residential nursery. In conclusion, I would like to express my thanks to the Chairman and Members of the public Health Committee for their help and consideration, and to Dr. Nelson, Mr. Kent and the departmental staff for their willing co-operation. I am, Mr. Mayor, Cr. Miss Davies and Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, -3- R. L. CORLETT Medical Officer of Health.