South Yorkshire Times, September 19, 1942
Less Infectious Disease
Conisbrough M.O.’s Annual Report
In his 21st annual report, for the twelve months ended December 31st. 1941, Dr. J. McArthur, Medical Officer of Health to Conisbrough Urban Council, states that the area of the district is 1,593 acres, and population, under the 1931 census 18,174, the number of Inhabited houses at the end of 1940 being 3,972. The number of births registered during the year was 348, a birth rate of 22.5. The birth rate in 1940 was 21.3. During the year there were 201 deaths, equivalent to a rate of 13.1, and a decrease of 0.4 per cent. on the 1910 figure.
Infantile mortality was 67.9, and for 1940 54.9. The average for England and Wales was 59. Deaths were principally due to congenital debility and premature birth.
There had been no shortage of water during the year and no extensions were made to drainage and sewerage system. During the year 3,504 loads of dry refuse had been removed, equal to approximately 6,672 tons. This work was carried out by direct labour and the total cost per house per year for dry refuse was 14s. 8d.
Infectious diseases notified were: Scarlet fever 38 (no deaths), diphtheria 22 (one death), cerebro-spinal fever 8 (no deaths). pneumonia 21 (11 deaths). erysipelas 3 (no deaths). puerperal pyrexia 1 (no deaths), measles 6 (one death), whooping cough 91 (one death).
The total number of cases of infectious diseases was 188: considerably less than last year when there were 818 cases. Eighteen new cases of tuberculosis were notified, 15 respiratory and three non-respiratory. There were 16 deaths from former notified cases. 13 respiratory and three non-respiratory.
There were six deaths front cancer, three male and three female, an improvement on last year when there were 21 deaths