Report of the Health Officer, Corporation of Madras Health Department.

  • Madras (India). Health Department.
Date:
[1930]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Health Officer, Corporation of Madras Health Department. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    7/182
    INTRODUCTION. Commissioner. Sir, I beg to submit the Annual Report on the health ol the City for the year 1930. The estimated population for the year 1930 was 5,38,483 and it is on this figure as well as on the census figure for 1921 the rates relating to the Vital Statistics have been prepared. The preliminary figures which have just been published show that the population has been under-estimated by 1,08,050. It is therefore obvious that the rates found in these reports are somewhat over-esti¬ mated. Calculated on the census population of 1931, the death rate would show an appreciable reduction (35-3). With the increasing attention now paid to Public Health matters, it is desirable that the data presented through the medium of these reports should be as accurate as possible. But where there has been a phenomenal migration due to industrial development, trade and educational facilities, any attempt to estimate the population correctly is bound to fail unless enumeration is made at shorter intervals. The discrepancies between the esti¬ mated and the actual population disclosed by the recent census would appear to emphasise the need for a quinquennial enumeration. While the enormous in¬ crease noticed in the population—equal to the entire population of Salem— will be gratifying to all lovers of the City, the fact that this involves additional responsibility should not be lost sight of. Perambur, Royapettah, Royapuram and Nungambakam show considerable increase. The most outstanding feature of the Vital Statistics is that the Birth¬ rate has gone up to 48-5 the highest figure ever recorded. The infantile morta¬ lity fell from 256 to 243. The slight increase noticed in the Death rate (43-2) is due to the increased mortality that prevailed during the last quarter of the year. The heavy and continued rains during October and November caused serious dislocation in the flooded areas at Washermanpet, Perambur, Choolai and Egmore where most of the inhabitants were rendered homeless. The level of the sub-soil water suddenly rises during monsoons. The slum dwellers of the low-lying areas suffer most from chills due to exposure and diarrhoea. Added to all these, a severe outbreak of Cholera occurred during December following the rains. The infection which was virulent, was mainly confined to Choolai. Prompt measures were immediately adopted. From the beginning the infec¬ tion was localised and in a short time what threatened to be a serious general outbreak was nipped in the bud. The staff had to forego the Christmas holidays. The only disquieting feature of the infectious diseases that prevailed during the year under report was the wide-spread infection of small-pox. In my last report I had dealt with this question at some length. A detailed study of the cases revealed that 66 per cent, of the cases occurred amongst persons wha had recently migrated into the City and who had their vaccination in other parts of the Presidency. Vaccination is done in the City with the utmost care under Medical supervision. Every effort is taken to see that all infants are vaccinated in time. Progress made in vaccination during the year under review has been quite satisfactory as can be seen from the figures furnished in the report on Vaccination appearing elsewhere. But one point should be clearly understood. The immunity conferred by vaccination does not last for more than 5-7 years. Unless re-vaccination is done systematically at intervals, the community cannot remain immune to this scourge. I repeat the appeal made last year to every one to co-operate with this department in order to see that every child born in the City or outside is vaccinated as early as possible. It is very pleasing to note that Malaria is steadily yielding ground. Total number of deaths registered under Malaria was 283 as against 681 of the previous year. The presence of a large number of tanks and marshy places in H—1