[Report 1898] / February, Sanitary Committee [- Medical Officer of Health], Cornwall County Council.

  • Cornwall (England). County Council.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Report 1898] / February, Sanitary Committee [- Medical Officer of Health], Cornwall County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    CORNWALL COUNTY COUNCIL. $anifarg (Jommilte. Monthly Report for January, 1898. Cornwall just now is undergoing an experience the like of which has not been known before. A widespread epidemic of Influenza has attacked the entire County. A reference to column 25 of the tabulated return will show that scarcely a single district is free from the disease. The disease not being a notifiable one, it is difficult to ascertain the number of cases ; but it is evident that a very large per centage of the county’s population has been affected. In some districts the disease is of a mild type, whilst in others it has assumed the character of a scourge. So great has been its influence, that the teaching staff of many elementary schools has been reduced, and the attendance of the scholars sensibly diminished, so much so that the schools have been practically unworkable, and, on the recommendation of the M.O.H.s, have had to be closed for a time. The members of the medical profession have had their hands full, and have been taxed to the utmost extent of their powers And at much inconvenience and pressure, the various Medical Officers of Health have barely been enabled to give the necessary time to forwarding their reports to this Committee, As evidencing the severe character of the epidemic, 26 deaths are returned as due thereto, 19 of which occurred in the Rural districts, and 9 in the Urban. This number is just one more than the total number for the whole of last year. As might be expected from this abnormal state of things, the County’s general death-rate shows a marked increase on that of December, being no less than 2-23 per thousand of the population. The deaths registered from all causes numbered 486 against 429 last month, and 437 as compared with the corresponding month of 1897. There has been an increased fatality amongst the aged,—201 deaths against 157 last month, being no less than 41.35 per cent, of the total deaths registered. No doubt this increase has been mainly occasioned by the prevalence of Influenza, which in the aged has a greater hold, and meets with less resistance. Infantile deaths number 83 against 59 in December. This is a large increase, but when compared with January of last year, it is better by 9. Turning to the Zymotics, we have returns of a more encouraging nature. There were 20 deaths registered this month against 27 last, reducing the zymotic death-rate to 0.8 from 1.0, at which it previousl}' stood. Notified or ascertained cases numbered 106 against 206 last month,—a very gratifying improvement, and bringing the zymotic disease rate down to 4.19, which is nearly 50 per cent, better than last month, due to the more favourable returns of Typhoid and Scarlet Fevers. Diphtheria marks a rise of 4 cases, but a decline of 2 deaths This increase in the number of cases is more apparent than real, for it includes the returns from a district which ha:’, not hitherto supplied any. We are pleased to record this act of grace on the part of Phillaek Urban District, and trust that it will be followed by the three remaining defaulting districts, so that the County’s statistics may be complete and entire. Erysipelas cases numbered 15 with 2 deaths this month, against 19 cases and 1 death last. Scarlet Fever has greatly declined. The cases notified in January numbered 21 against 58 with 3 deaths in December,—a welcome decrease of 36 per cent. The disease has disappeared in St. Colurnb district, and greatly declined in Redruth Rural, which returns 4 cases against 18 and 1 death the previous month, and also in Helston Rural, there being only /I case this month, against 6 and 1 fatality in December. Typhoid Fever. A very great improvement is shown by the returns for January. From 116 cases with 5 deaths the previous month, it is 55 cases with 7 deaths this. The M.O.H.s for Redruth Rural and Camborne Districts, respectively, report that the epidemic is practically at an end- No fresh case has been reported in the former district since January 18th, and in the latter district the last 4 cases notified were due to secondary infection. Increased vigilance and attention are evidently being aroused, as the result of the recent Local Government Board Inquiry, for the M.O.H. reports that the Authority is causing all midden-pits, cess-pits, and ash-pits at infected houses to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and all accumulations of refuse in the vicinity of dwellings are being systematically removed. Camborne’s experience of the Typhoid epidemic will not have been in vain if it profits from the recent Inquiry, and learns the wisdom of shutting the stable door before the horse is gone. These remarks apply with equal force to the St. Colurnb Rural district. It is gratifying to observe the attention just now being given to the question of the purity of water supplies ; and there is no question so important and vital to the public health as this. Recent events at Maidstone, and at Camborne, are object lessons pointing to the paramount duty of all responsible Authorities to keep a watchful eye in this direction, and not only to have periodical examinations, but also whenever the M.O.H. has the least suspicion of taint or impurity. Signed on behalf of the Committee, JOHN R. deC. BOSCAWEN, Chairman. Truro, February 16th, i898.