Conisborough Notes – Jan 16, 1931 – Ante Natal – Library – Birth & Death Rates

January 1931

Mexborough and Swinton Times, January 16, 1931

Ante Natal Clinics

The question of ante-natal clinics is exercising the minds of those persons in Conisboro’ who are concerned with the provision of such facilities, and with a view to obtaining information on the subject the Urban Council has appointed a sub-committee , who, along with the Medical Officer, Dr. J. McArthur, will visit existing clinics and report. It is understood, arising out of this subject, that many more women would enter maternity homes if their own doctors could attend them there, and it appears that a move in this direction is being made. This is obviously a step in the right direction , as also the “mothers’ help” idea.

Library

Conisborough library is a great success and there are 1686 readers on the books, who during December took out 2499 in volumes. A branch will very shortly be opened in Denaby, where arrangements have been made with the Welfare Trustees for the exclusive use of a room, with separate entrance.

This will only involve a small expenditure. Plans have been taken out for a new library in Conisbrough to be erected in High Street, but from what one can gather Conisboro” is not quite satisfied that such as expenditure warranted at this time.

When one considers that our rates are at present 18/4 in the one must ask if such schemes should go forward, or whether only necessary works should be carried out, and one can hardly classify a library, desirable as it is, as a necessity. On the other hand, one can point out that with increased facilities membership might be enormously increased, until nearly all the inhabitants were users of the material which is provided by the county.

As an example, one can quote Edlington, which through increased and better accommodation has jumped in membership from 200 to 700 in  very short time.

Birth & Death Rates

There were 118 births in the quarter just ended, giving a rate of 27.7 per 1000, comparable with the country’s of 18.3. Deaths were 38, including 10 infants, giving a death rate of 8.2, against the country’s of 11.8, and an infantile mortality rate of 78.1, against the average of 81.1.

Of infectious diseases, chicken pox was the worst, and there were 171 cases of this very contagions disease, which happily is now almost at an end.

When one considers that in some portions of Conisborough’s area there are 40 or more houses to the acre, there appears to be cause for congratulation from the public health point of view