[Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Belfast County Borough.

  • Belfast (Northern Ireland). County Borough Council.
Date:
1959
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Belfast County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/136 (page 6)
    The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor and the Aldermen and Councillors of the Belfast County Borough Council, acting as the Belfast Health Authority and the Belfast Port Sanitary Authority. My Lord Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year 1959. Vital Statistics: The estimated mid-year population has fallen by 2,400 to 433,800. There were 8,365 births registered, an increase of 102 compared with 1958. There were 4,821 deaths registered, an increase of 3 compared with 1958. 802 persons died from cancer (20 fewer than in 1958). There were 167 deaths from “cancer of the lung”; 137 males, 7 less than in 1958 and 30 females, 2 more than in 1958. The infantile mortality rate was 32.8. The rate for 1958 was 30. There has been a regrettable increase in the number of deaths from motor vehicle accidents from 25 in 1958 to 41 in 1959, as well as an increase in the number of deaths due to tuberculosis from 58 in 1958 to 68 in 1959. The number of cases of tuberculosis notified however showed a marked decrease to 379 cases, the average number of notifications for the previous four years being 471. For the fifth successive year no cases of diphtheria were notified. The seven deaths from whooping cough in 1959 occurred in infants less than six months old. B.C.G. Vaccination: Responsibility for making arrangements for B.C.G. Vaccination was transferred, along with other functions, to the Health Authority on 1st April, 1959 when the Northern Ireland Tuberculosis Author- ity was dissolved. Subsequently routine B.C.G. vaccinations of all new born babies at Maternity Hospitals in the City were discontinued. Some babies did not receive protection against whooping cough during the early months of life as it was advised that no other inoculations be given for three months after B.C.G. vaccination. It is hoped that babies will now receive immunisation against whooping cough as early as 3 months of age. The present policy of carrying out B.C.G. vaccination in the 10 plus age group is continued. Atmospheric Pollution: Six new daily atmospheric pollution recording instruments were installed at the end of 1958 so that records have been obtained from nine sites situated mostly in residential parts of the City during 1959. This has been done in conjunction with the Department of Social and Preventive Medi- cine Queens University, so that studies could be undertaken of the relation between respiratory disease and atmospheric pollution. The records were made available to a committee set up to advise the Minister of Health and Local Government on the health aspects of atmospheric pollution in Belfast. In addition monthly recordings have been obtained from the monthly instruments as in previous years as well as from two new lead peroxide candles sited in the vicinity of Power Station West. Health Education: A Conference was held on 29th May in co-operation with the Central Council for Health Education. The topic was “School Health and Health Education”. This proved of particular mterest to the S Medical Officers and Health Visitors from Antrim, Down, and our own Department An interesting discussion developed concerning the future use of routine medical inspection in schools. The Health Committee in conjunction with the Education Committee: participated L in the Ex- hibition “The Challenge of the Handicapped” sponsored by the Northern Service from 13th to 16th October. A stand demonstrated the services provi^ 1^ the by means of photographs and diagrams as well as technical and professional techniques employ in the special treatment of the handicapped child.