[Report 1920] / Medical Officer of Health, Chippenham Borough.

  • Chippenham (Wiltshire, England). Borough Council.
Date:
1920
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1920] / Medical Officer of Health, Chippenham Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Notifiable Cases. Hospital. Tuberculosis. Sanitary Administration. Housing Conditions, General. Housing Scheme. PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS DISEASES Diphtheria is universally treated with Antitoxin, a supply of which is kept at the Isolation Hospital, and at l6 Market Place, for distribution among medical men requiring it for diagnosis or treatment, other Bacterio- logical aids to diagnosis are in constant use. There were cases of Diphtheria in January, March, April, May, June and September, in all, nineteen cases. There were cases of Scarlet Fever in January, February, March, May, June, September and November, in all, seventeen cases. The schoolmasters of all the schools give me intimation of any suspicious cases of illness they observe amongst the scholars. There were no vaccinations or re-vaccinations performed by me under the Public Health (small pox prevention) Regulations, 1917. There are no facilities available in the district for the cleansing and disinfecting of virminous persons or their belongings. Sixty-nine cases were notified. 19 cases of Diphtheria I case of Erysipelas 17 cases of Scarlet Fever 1 case of Puerperal Fever 17 cases of Phthisis 2 „ of Pneumonia 7 ,, of Malaria 5 „ of Ophthalmia Neomatorium There was no epidemic properly so called. This condition may be attributed to the general use that is made of the Isolation Hospital, nine- teen cases of Diphtheria and sixteen cases of Scarlet Fever were removed and treated there. I have no reason to suppose that there was any return” case among the Scarlatina cases. During the year tbirty-five patients were admitted into the Isolation Hospital, nineteen Diphtheria and sixteen Scarlatina. There was no deaths. The hospital is managed by a Joint Committee of the County Council and the Chippenam Urban and Rural District Councils. It has been suggested that the Urban and Rural Districts of Malmesbury should come in, the nursing staff is sufficient for this. Miss B. Mathews is still the matron, she is a qualified nurse, and has had extensive experience in fever wards. The benefits of the Isolation Hospital are available for cases of Typhoid, Typhus, Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria. There is no provision for small pox. In my opinion all cases of Tuberculosis are notified by the medical men in attendance. It is now customary to disinfect after all cases. The Sanitary Inspector, Mr. Adams, is provided with a clerk. An inspector from the Bristol Housing Department has on four occasions visited this district and has examined the seventy-one houses which are reported as unfit for human habitation. The same inspector has also visited most houses which are not considered in all respects in a good sanitary condition. It is impossible to do much work under this heading as the Council are employing all available skilled workmen on their Housing Scheme at Ladyfield. A contract has been let for forty-two houses, twelve of these are occupied, and about thirty are roofed in. It is hoped to complete this scheme by the Autumn of this year, 1921. I have the honour to remain Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, WILLIAM THOMAS BRISCOE, B.A., M.D., Medical Officer of Health.