[Report 1908] / Medical Officer of Health, Patrington R.D.C.
- Patrington (England). Rural District Council.
- Date:
- 1908
Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Credit: [Report 1908] / Medical Officer of Health, Patrington R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![With Dr. Coates’ Compliments Bleak House, Patrington, January 1st, 1909- 'l'o the District Council of Patrington, I present my thirteenth annual report dealing with the health of this district for the year ending December 31st, 1908. The population of the district is estimated at 7,021. The number of births has been 170; thut is 6 less than last year. Of these nine were Illegitimate—a proportion of one in 19.5, compared with one in 30.4 in 1907, and one in 12.3 in 1900. The total number of males born in 1908 was 91, and the females 85. The birth-rate for 1908 is 25.00 per 1,000, compared with 25.95 and 22.81 in the two previous years. The average lor the last ten years is 23.21, and for England and Wales (1900) 27.0 (the lowest on record). The birth-rate of the East Hiding for 1907 was 22.9. The births took place as follows First Second Third Fourth Quarter. Quarter. Quarter. Quarter. Males . 24 .... 22 .... 21 .... 24 Females ... 23 .... 16 .... 19 .... 27 One hundred and forty-three children have been vaccinated out of the 170 births. During the past year 93 persons have died, viz., 49 males and 44 females. This is at the rate of 13.24 per 1,000, compared with 11.09 and 15.11 in the two previous years, and 14.22 the average for the past, ten years. This is favourable if compared with the rest of England, the average death-rate of t' © fourteen largest towns being 17.5. The death- rate of the East Riding for 1907 was 14.0. The average death-rate of Hull for the past ten years is 18.3. The average age at death for this district is: For males 42.19 years, and for females 57.14 years. The average age of all deaths is 49 years 3 months 15 days, compared with 52 years 0 months 17 days in 1907. The average duration of life in England is 40 years 3 months. The relative number of deaths at the various ages come out at:— Under 1 year .••• 16 Average per 1,000 . Average for East Hiding (1907). 104 Average for East Hiding Rural Districts (1907) ... 102 Average for East Riding Urban Bistriots (1907) . US Average for 10 years (Patrington).. 115 Over 1 year and under 5 years . 1 Over 5 years and under 15 years . ^ ’Over 15 years and under 25 years . 8 Over 25 years and under 65 years . 23 Over 65 years . A1 Seven inquests have been held in 1908: One murder, four accidents, and two natural causes. Five persons belonging to this dis¬ trict died outside the area : One in the Royal Infirmary; three in the Asylum, and one1 in the Warwick Union. One non-resident died in the Patrington Workhouse, and two per¬ sons have been washed up, one from Hull and the other from the tug Terrier. Two deaths are returned as uncertified. The following have been the chief causes of death : Whooping cough, 1; diphtheria, 3; influenza, 8; enteritis, 1; erysipelas, 1; phthisis, 7; other tuberculous diseases, 2; cancer, G; .bronchitis, 2; pneumonia, 1; cirrhosis of liver, 1; premature birth, 5; heart diseases, 26; accidents, 4; and all other causes, 25. No deaths took place at Frodingham, Hils- ton, Holmpton, Out-Newton, Oustwiok. No births took place at Waxholme. The deaths took place as follows :— First Second Third Fourth Quarter. Quarter. Quarter. Quarter. Males . 15 - lO - 12 - 12 Females ... 17 .... 2 - 6 .... 13. I append a table showing at a glance (1) the births, (2) the deaths, (3) the average death-rate, (4) the average birth-rate, and (5) the average age at death in the following parishes:— Death Birth Rate Rate Average per per age at Births. Deaths. 1,000 1,000. death. Buistwick . . 7 3 ■6.18 14.35 62.66 Burton Pidsea . . 13 1 3.51 45.77 68. Basins; ton . . 3 4 11.2.6 8.45 60.26 Frodingham ... 0 0. 42.85 0. Halsham . .5 2 9.09 22,72 68.50 Hilston . 0 0. 35.71 O. Hollym . ... . 6 6 28.57 2.8.57 21.18 Holmpton. . . 4 O O. 23.52 0. Keyingham — . 16 5 9.17 29.35 36.30 Kilnsea . . 2 i 8.08 16.16 23. Ottringham ... . 13 7 15.21 28.26 71. Out Newton ... . 1 0 0. 27.77 0. Owstwick . . 4 0 0. 50.00 0. Owthorne . . 4 2 16..66 33.33 0.01 Patrington .... . 31 13 16.69 28.75 50.09 Patrington Union... 1 10 22.2.22 22.22 69.60 Pauli . . 15 8 14.13 26.50 36.99 Rimswell . . 2 2 14.49 14.49 43. Boos . ..... 14 6 13.83 32.17 65.83 Ryehill . . 2 1 4,54 .9.00 86, SkefiUng . . 2 2 14.52 14.52 41.41 Sunk Island ... . 9 4 10.98 24.72 40.76 Thorn gum bald . 5 2 7.35 18.38 36,01- Tunstall . . 1 4 39.21 9.80 40. Waxholme . . 0 1 16.94 0. 0.01 Wei wick . . 8 2 7.14 28.57 75.00 Winestead . . 4 2 12.82 25.64 60.50 Compared with this, the following table shows the 1898 - 1907.- average i f or the past ten years, Avge. Deaths Avge. Avge. Avge under Pop’n. Births. Deaths. 1 year. Burstwick . .. 468.4 n.i 6.1 1.3 Bin ton Pidsea .... .. 303.9 6.9 2.7 .6 Easington . .. 368.0 9.2 3.9 1.0 Frodingham . 69.1 2.4 .5 .3 Halsham . .. 226.2 3.1 3.2 .3 Hilston . 31.1 .6 .3 0. Hollym . .. 235.4 6.0 3.1 .6 Holmpton . .. 179.1 3.2 2.4 .3 Keyingham . .. 553.1 12.4 8.4 1.0 Kilnsea . .. 139.6 4.4 2.5 1.1 Ottringham . .. 477.0 8.9 8.1 1.7 Out Newton . 38.1 .7 .3 0. Owstwick . 82.7 3.1 .4 0. Owthorne . 86.7 2.8 1.2 .4 Patrington . .. 1089.4 21.2 17.6 2.4 Patrington Union.. 45.4 1.5 6.1 .1 Pauli . .. 564.0 16.8 6.4 1.3 Bimswell . .. 132.6 5.0 1.8 .6 Roos . .. 451.0 9.1 7.2 .8, Ryehill ... .. 232.1 5.9 3.6 .7 Skeffling . .. 137.1 3.7 1.8 .3 Sunk Island . .. 389.8 9.4 3.1 .8 Thorngumbald . 7.4 4.0 .6 Tunstall . 2.4 .8 .2 Waxholme . .7 1.0 .1 Welwiek . .. 291.0 7.5 5.0 1.3 Winestead . .. 151.2 4.4 1.5 .1 The number of inhabited houses in the district is 1,641; the average, number of people per house is 4.27. For the whole of the East Riding 4.5. The acreage is 61,420 for this district; the density of population is one person to 8.7 acres, compared with 7.7 the East Riding rural average, and 5 acres the entire Riding average. The infantile mortality is 16, against 11 and 16 in the two previous years. The average for the past nine years is 19. Three deaths of illegitimate children under one year have been recorded. The cancer rate is slightly lower, viz., one in 15.5, as against 10.25 and 13.25 in the two previous years. The average for England and Wales is one in 30. The average age at death from cancer is (36.5 years. Three cases were males and three females. The average age at death from heart affection is 73-3. The lung diseases— phthisis, bronchitis, and pneumonia average 26.2 years. Seven deaths took place xroro phthisis, compared with 2 and 5 in the two previous years. Forty-one cases of notifiable infectious diseases have been notified to me during 1908, as against 38 and 53 in the two previous years. The cases were: Diphtheria, 6; erysipelas, 15; scarlet fever, 19; and typhus fever, 1. Deaths occurred: Diphtherial. 3; erysipelas, 1, which is at the rate of 43.01 per 1,000 deaths, or .56 per 1,000 of the popu¬ lation. . The total number of people receiving m and out relief belonging to this union is 196, or one in 36. In 1907 there were 203, or one in 34. The average for England and Wales Is one in 39. . The number of pauper lunatics belonging to this union is 27, or one in 333 (including Withernsea, which is in this union), or 3 per 1,000, compared with 2.6 in 1907 , 2.7 for the whole East Riding, and 3.42 for England and Wales. The lowest rate] in Bng^nd an|d Wales is 1.8 in the West Riding, and the highest 5.23 in Herefordshire. For the E!ast Riding the number of pauper lunatics is one in 350. The rainfall of Patrington for last year was 19.69 inches. The most ram fell in April (2.62), and the driest month was January (1.00). The averages for the past two years are 1.69 and 1.85 respectively. This year the average is 1.64 inches. Poor-Law Medical Officers will now he re- quired to notify within 48 hours the Medical Officer of Health of any cases of consumptive paupers that may occur in their districts. This applies also to all Poor-Law institu¬ tions. During the year 240 children have been excluded by special certificates for various complaints fitom the schools of the districts n tni’9 area :— Male. Female. Measles . .... 23 32 Ringworm . 6 .3 Chicken-pox . .... 16 15 Scarlet Fever . 7 6 Whooping Cough _ 7 ... 8 Influenza . .... 17 17 Eczema . 7 9 Diphtheria . .... 15 18 Mumps . .... 15 19 The special number of cases excluded from each school, including the unaffected members of the same families, were : Roos, 27; Wel- wick, 3; Winestead, 22; Withernsea, 46; Key- ingham, 29; Hollym, 40; Burstwiok, 5; Ryehill, 10; Ottringham, 1; Pauli, 34; and Burton Pidsea, 23. Three schools have, been closed for infec¬ tious diseases, viz.: Holmpton, for influenza; Keyingham, for measles; and Pauli, for diphtheria.’ I wish to draw the attention of the managers of schools to the curious fear which affects the parents the moment the word “diphtheria” is mentioned. There seems to be an uncontrollable panic in country villages at the very mention- of the word. Although in Pauli there was only one case of diphtheria, such was the alarm of the in¬ habitants that scarcely any children went to the school; and, in consequence, the, schools had to be closed for a lengthened period. It is the custom now, in this district, to exclude from the school any child with an infectious disease until it is cured, and also all children from the same house. In this way the educa¬ tion of the children is not neglected, and the safety of their healths is ensured. This is obtained quite as distinctly, as by closing the schools and letting th© children play about the streets with one another, and possibly catching that which the schools were closed to prevent. I would also ask managers of Sunday schools in future to close their schools when th© village schools are closed, because if is manifestly obvious that there is as much danger olf infection, in Sunday as in week¬ day schools. The same remarks apply to parties, whether public or private. Last year w© had a distinct outbreak arising from the presence of a child from Hull with an in¬ fectious disease. Under the new Education Act now in force the children have to be medically examined three times during their school life. The County Council has appointed a medical man to devote the whole of his time to this work. The parents have the right to he present during th© examination, if they so wish it, but it will not be competent for the medical man so examining to personally undertake the treatment of anything found amiss with the children, but refer them to their own medical attendant. This medical examina¬ tion does not take away the right of the Medical Officer of Health to supervise the health of the children. There is no isolation hospital within this area at present. Two cases of anthrax have been notified during the year, one at Pauli, and the other at Patrington. During 1908 eleven nuisances have been complained of, and, in addition, 47 other nuisances have been inspected, and the whole 58 rectified. Two summonses were taken out. One was withdrawn and the other resulted in a conviction. During the year three well waters were ‘analysed, and one of these was condemned. There are not, in my opinion, enough waters taken for analytical examination. Consider¬ ing the number of wells and the chances of pollution, more systematic examinations should take place. This would not entail a heavy expense if the Council approached the subject in a proper manner. It is only by constant supervision that the waters of the district can be kept right, and in view of the powers obtained by the Holderness Water Supply Company, it behoves the Council to take every precaution. There are nine factories registered under hho Factory and Workshop Act. Those have been Inspected from time to time and found in proper order. There are 39 cowsheds registered in the Patrington area. The Inspector has in¬ spected these from time to time, and found them in fair order. None have been found deficient. During the year an investigation of the milk supply of the Riding has been made by a .special committee of the East, North, and West Riding County Councils, and Dr Orr. as the bacteriological expert, has reported on the purity of the milks. It is surprising to notice the enormous variations in the degrees of contamination. To prevent contamination of milk, it is essential that the cows’ udders should be kept scrupulously clean. The same remark applies to the milker s hands. This should be done with warm water and soap always. The prevalent idea amongst farmers that it is a dangerous thing to wash a cow’s udder is an exploded idea, for Dr Orr has, for a period of six month's, had cows’ udders washed as an experiment, and the net result lias been to show that the milk from these cows has been bactenologi- cally pure. The inspection and examination of the milks oif the East Riding has shown •that thp greatest source of the c on t a nun a 11 o n of milk can be thus prevented. Another common delusion is that milk will not keep except in u vessel which is ven¬ tilated with holes. This is also an erroneous idea, and the best form of tin is that which will not admit any dust or air whatever. It, is, perhaps, unnecessary to point out the great need for preventing Hies having access to milk at any time. The above remarks apply to milk whether it is retained for the manufacture of butter or for a food stuff as milk solely. It is the law that the sheds should be whitewashed twice a year, but it would toe advantageous If this were done Oitener. All vessels which are used re¬ ceptacles for milk should be efficiently sterilised. This can be done by using boiling water in sufficient quantity. The cowsheds should not be overcrowded, but should have sufficient and efficient ven¬ tilation. according to the number of cows contained therein. Where cows are crowded together in a hot byre, they ar© more likely to develop tuberculosis than animals enjoying a plentiful supply of air. This affects the farmer quite as much as it affects the public, for an unhealthy cow 'Cannot be of much pecuniary value to its owner. A cow with a chronic cough should certainly toe regarded as suspicious. The total number of people receiving in and out relief belonging to this union is 196, or one in 36. Di 1907 there were 203, or one In 34. The average for England is one in 39. During the year eleven (bacteriological examinations have been made of sfwa'bs from suspected cases in the district. Three have been positive and the rest negative. These bacteriological examinations have been of the greatest use, and the Council is to toe con¬ gratulated on the. adoption last year of a resolution authorising it. I am sorry that the Council have neglected to provide the Patrington drainage with the flushing required to meet its efficiency. Year after year I have drawn the Council’s at¬ tention to their neglect of this important provision, and without result. Some years ago the Council made a half-hearted attempt to obtain water, and gave up before they had scarcely initiated the attempt. There is now absolutely no excuse for their jeopardising the health of the inhabitants by continued indifference. The Parish Council of Patring¬ ton, having discussed the matter very fully, provided for this Council’s use a piece of land which belonged to Patrington, in a most favourable part of the town, for the purpose of erecting a flushing apparatus, where it would not occupy either an unsightly position or interfere with the comfort of the inhabitants. The Council started, and then dropped, the work without making any really serious attempt to ge-t-ihe water. Expert opinion has been given on this matter, and it is possible to guarantee that water can toe got and the total cost estimated at a very reason¬ able figure. The drainage system should never have been inaugurated if there was no intention of flushing it. Numerous villages m the Riding have got these flushing systems, although they have no water supply in the town acceptance of the term. I do ask the Council most seriously to consider this, and to delay no longer the under-taking df the work in the interests of the health of the most important village in the Cbuncil’s area. It cannot be on account of the rates, be¬ cause the special sanitary rate having notw been liquidated, the application of a six¬ penny rate for a couple of years would not be felt, and would not increase the rates above the amount which the ratepayers have paid for years. The bill for supplying private consumers in the district with water has now been passed, but the power to take the water is permissive, and not compulsory. With the advent of 1909 several new laws have been enacted which will affect the com¬ munity. First, th© Infant Life Protection Act. This will affect people -who take m children to nurse. It has been made illegal to take more than one child to nurse for a longer period than 48 hours without the per¬ mission of the local authority. This will not prevent neighbours taking care of children for short periods less than 48 hours, if they do not accept any fee or reward for such attention. It is th© duty of the foster parent or person undertaking the permanent nursing of a child to give information to the local authority about it. The local authority will fix the number of infants to be received in each special case. If the premises in which the child lives are unhealthy, or are deemed unfit for the purpose, the infant may be re¬ moved and the parent requested to take care of it, or it may toe otherwise disposed of, i.e., the local authority have full power to- place it where they like. A most important provision in this Act is the prohibition of any insurance whatever on the life of an infant by any nurse or footer mother, or any other person but the parents. Visitors will be appointed by the local authority to visit these foster infants at the homes to- see that they are properly fed and treated. There are also penalties for insufficiently protecting open fire-places, so that, if chil¬ dren are burnt, injured, or killed, there will now be a statute penalty in addition to the common law right to proceed against the persons responsible for neglect. There are a Vo penalties (for overlaying children by parents or others. I would again remind the public that the onus of reporting contagious diseases rests with the parents or guardians of children, and they are liable to a penalty of forty shillings if they -end any children to school after they have had any such contagious or infectious disease, or have been exposed to such di>pasc, without they first obtain certifi¬ cates of freedom from infection or contagion. This applies to private as well as public schools. The health of the district still maintains its excellence, and compares most favourably with any other district.—Yours, Ac., W. H. COATES, Medical Officer of Health and Analyst, M.A., M.B.. M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., L.S.A., L.S.Se., F.C.S., L.S., and L.M., Barrister-at-Law.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30106515_0003.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
