Medical Officer’s Annual Report – Population, Births and Deaths, Small Pox, TB and Sanitation

April 1928

Mexborough and Swinton Times April 13, 1928

Medical Officer’s Annual Report

The Medical Officer of Health, Dr, McArthur, has just issued his annual report for 1927.

Population

It shows that the area of the district is 1588 acres, the Census population in 1921 was 15,860; the estimated mid-year population -in 1927 was 19,450 and the number of inhabited houses was 3,621. The rateable value is £61,732, and the sum represented by a penny rate is £257.

Births and Deaths

Births registered were 492 giving a rate of 26.66 per 1000 against the rate for England and Wales of 16.7 and Conisboro’ for 1926 of 31.99. The deaths were 189, giving a rate of 10.2 per 1000 against 12.3 for England ‘and Wales, and Conisboro’ for 1926 of 11.9; 41 Infants died giving an infantile mortality rate of 85.3 per 1000 against that for England and Wales of 69 and against Conisboro’ for 1926 of 105.8 so there is something for us to be congratulated on even though the rate is still too high.

Small Pox

There were 326 cases of small pox with two deaths.  Of the 325 small pox cases 221 were unvaccinated and 103 vaccinated, the unvaccinated being 67 per cent. The doctor adds that the outbreak followed an outbreak in the adjoining district of Mexborough and as many of the Denaby residents visit Mexborough it appeared that the infection spread during the height of the epidemic through the Denaby and West to the North, South and East Wards. There were 105 eases in the Denaby Ward., 97 in the West, 51 in the North, 48 in the South and 19 in. the East. This follows a geographical outline spreading eastwards from Mexborough although it must be pointed out that of i5 cases notified up to the week ending 5th February. 9 cases resided in the South Ward and were confined to a small area, and in the most part were contacts with each other, three in the North end one each in the others. In the next four weeks the most severe-120 cases were notified. During the remaining period the cases were spread more or less evenly. The doctor adds that this caused a great amount of additional work upon the sanitary department and thanks the County Medical Officer, Dr. Kaye for sending one of his nursing staff.

Tuberculosis and Sanitation

There is a decrease in Tuberculosis cases probably owing to more houses having been built. Regarding Sanitary Administration 351 Privy middens were converted but there are still 573 to convert. 6638 Inspections Were made and 178 notices to abate nuisances were served and complied with.

There is a decrease in Tuberculosis cases probably owing to more houses having been built. Regarding Sanitary Administration 351 privy middens were converted but there are still 573 to convert. 6638 Inspections were made and 178 notices to abate nuisances were served and complied with, whilst 400 houses were disinfected. The meat Inspector examined 698 beasts, 37 calves, 970 sheep, 100 lambs and 1138 pigs. Scavenging has shown a marked improvement. Eighty-one houses were erected, 28 being of the municipal scheme.