[Report 1895] / Medical Officer of Health, Totnes Borough.

  • Totnes (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1895] / Medical Officer of Health, Totnes Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    MEDICAL OFFICER’S REPORT OF THE BOROUGH OF TOTNES, 1895. TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TOTNES TOWN COUNCIL. Gentlemen, I shall make my annual report in com¬ pliance with the order of the Local Government Board, and begin with the record of the Births and Deaths in the Borough during 1895. Bikths. 100, giving the birth rate of 25 per 1,000 for the whole Borough. Deaths. 109 for the entire Borough, frcm which must he deducted 31 that occurred in the Workhouse, thus leaving 78. Mortality Which will give the rate of mortality Hate. at 19 per 1,000, in 1894 it was 15 per 1,000. There have,fortunately,been none from accidents. There have been 3 from Enteric Fever, the same number as in 1894, and 7 from Measles, making the mortality from Zymotic diseases about 2 per 1,000, which is very small. Deaths of Children under one year of age has increased to 18, which are 8 more than in 1894. This is not so satisfactory. Table of Deaths with the Ages. The following table epitomises the ages at which the deaths occurred in the Borough, excluding the Workhouse:— Under 1 year of age ... 18 ] 25 under Over 1 > > ,, and under 5 years 7 j 5 years. J 5 ^ 5 1 11 1 1 15 „ 4 . , It) 11 11 11 25 „ 2 I ' 53 over 5 11 11 1 1 11 65 ,, 15 | , years of ,, 65 11 11 upwards 32 ) * age. 78 a he grouping into the various ages in the above table is in accordance with the ages fixed in the table forwarded by the Local Government Board which is duly filled up and accompanies this report. The deaths in the Workhouse are 31, 6 more than in 1894. The next table shows the deaths for the last 9 years from Zymotic diseases. Table of Zymotic Diseases. 1887 1888 1889 Smallpox ... 0 0 0 Measles . 0 0 0 Scarlet fever 2 0 0 Diphtheria ... 0 0 5 \V hooping cough 114 Typhoid fever 0 0 0 Typhus fever 0 0 0 1890 1891 1892 1893 .894 1895 0 0 0 0 0 O 2 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 319630 5 3 10 The death rate from these for 1895 is just over 2 per 1,000 ; in the cases of Measles it has been the Pulmonary complication that has caused death, which shows that Measles are not to be considered such a simple disea S3 as the public imagine, in many cases the Lung trouble is due to want of proper cure. I submit also with this report the Tables A and B, supplied by the Local Government Board. Table a fives the causes of the deaths, and B the cases of sickness reported under the Notification Act. There are only 16 cases notified for 1895, against 32 for 1894. 3 of the cases terminated fatally from Typhoid Fever. I made a careful inspection of the premises in which these were, but could find no local 3 1 Scarlet Fever Diptheria ... Enteric Fever Erysipelas .. It is satisfactory to find that only half the number of Zymotic cases have occurred in 1895 compared with 1894. Mortuary.—I am pleased to say that we have a very fair one, hut regret that the Post Mortem room adjoining has not sufficient ventilation. Drainage and House'Connection.—On the whole very good, and I consider when the scheme for purifying the sewage is carried out, it will be of the greatest benefit by rendering the water of the Itiver Dart much more pure, and will abate the annoyance caused by the smell from the river in the summer time. Water Supply.—Very good. More houses have taken in the town supply,and now the new Reservoir is finished and full there should be an abundant supply. Routine Work.—Houses and drains are con¬ tinually being inspected, and any defects at once remedied. T he report of the Inspector of Nuisances accompanies my report. Common Lodging Houses.—Good. Bye Law's are strictly enforced, which is a most important point in Sanitary work. General Remarks.—There certainly has been less sickness than in 1894, and 1 consider the Sanitary state of the Borough very good indeed. I heg to thank the Public Health Committee for the way they have listened to the matters 1 have brought before them, and for the impartial manner in which they have carried out my suggestions for the public good, and L again congratulate them on the very satisfactory sanitary state of the Borough. Rainfall.—44'36 inches. In 1894, 5464 and in 1893, 36-24 inches. I am, gentlemen, yours obediently, men, yours oueuiunny, January 15th, 1896. M.O.H., Totnes. 7, High Street, Totnes, January 17th, 1S96. TO THE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF TOTNES. Gentlemen, I heg to report that I have, during the year ending December 31st, 1895, frequently visited all parts of the Borough,and the following nuisances have been reported and dealt with. The Smoke Test has been applied to the drains of 27 houses some by the request of owners and occupiers, and others by orders of the Medical Officer of Health, the result being that 19 were found defective, aud 8 sound and in good repair. Of the 19 defective drains some have been repaired and in other cases new pipe drains have been laid, the whole having been re-tested by the smoke test and passed efficient. Insanitary houses, 2 ; accumulation of dung, &c., 2 ; defective closets other than those smoke tested, 2 ; swine kept within 30ft of dwelling house, 1 ; nuisances from other causes, 7. One analysis of well water made, which was found to be unpolluted. Two summonses were issued and orders made for the abatement of the nuisance in each case. All the above nuisances reported have been abated. 43 written reports made to the Sanitary Authority during the year, and 47 written notices have been served, 24 for the abatement of nuisances and 23 for applying the smoke test.—I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 16 Inspector of Nuisances.