Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 17 May 1924
Medical Officer’s Annual Report for 1923
The annual report of the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. J. McArthur, had just been issued.
Key statistics for the district were:
- Estimated population: 16,680
- Inhabited houses: 3,990
- Rateable value: £86,722
- A penny rate yielded: £270
There were 562 births, giving a birth rate of 33.67 per 1,000 population, a slight decrease on the previous year but still considerably above the national rate for England and Wales of 19.7 per 1,000.
There were 228 deaths, producing a death rate of 13.66 per 1,000, compared with 11.15 the previous year and 11.6 for England and Wales.
The principal causes of death were:
- Measles – 12
- Influenza – 14
- Tuberculosis – 20
- Cancer (malignant disease) – 13
- Cerebral haemorrhage – 10
- Heart disease – 10
- Bronchitis – 28
- Pneumonia – 20
- Diarrhoea and similar diseases – 20
The infant mortality rate was a matter of serious concern, standing at 115.6 deaths per 1,000 births, compared with 89.4 the previous year and 69 for England and Wales. The report noted that one child in every nine died before reaching one year of age.
Mortality during the winter months exceeded 140 per 1,000 births. There were 65 infant deaths, which Dr. McArthur attributed largely to the debilitating effects of the measles epidemic and the severity of the weather during the first and last quarters of the year.
Scarlet fever was prevalent throughout the year, leading to the disinfection of schools. The Medical Officer believed some mild cases escaped detection, while fear of removal to the Isolation Hospital discouraged some people from seeking medical advice.
Tuberculosis was described as very prevalent, and it was hoped that improved housing conditions would reduce its incidence. Cases recorded in the various wards were:
- North Ward – 30
- South Ward – 1
- East Ward – 3
- West Ward – 9
- Denaby – 8
The figures were cited as supporting the argument that better housing would help combat the disease.