[Report 1949] / Medical Officer of Health, Stamford Borough.

  • Stamford (England). Borough Council
Date:
1949
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1949] / Medical Officer of Health, Stamford Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/24 (page 4)
    ANNUAL REPORT Town Hall, Stamford. July 1950. To the Mayor, Alderman and Councillors of the Borough of Stamford. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honour to present my annual report on the health, sanitary conditions and vital statistics of the Borough for the year 1949. The Infantile Mortality rate (24.6) although higher than the extremely low figure (12.0) of 1948 is very satisfactory in relation to that of the average for the country as a whole (32.0). There has been a slight increase in the Birth and Death rates compared with 1948. During the Spring and Summer there was a prolonged epidemic of scarlet fever (66) and streptococcal sore throats mostly of a mild nature ; 5 cases of infantile paralysis occurred mainly in young adults and of a severe type but happily all patients made complete recoveries. There was an increase in the number of measles. Model Bye-laws for the clean production and processing of food were adopted during the year and the relevant trades and busin¬ ess establishments notified, particular attention has been given to the manufacture and sale of ice cream. One case of suspected food poisoning was reported. Meat inspection has been carried out by Mr. Roll, the Sanitary Inspector, who has given much overtime to this highly important duty ; as will be realised when the number of carcases found by him to be infected with T.B. is considered. As reported before, a serious gap from the public health point of view in the provision of safe meat for human consumption exists in the practice of sending animals as “ casualties ” for slaughter. Except for bona fide cases of accidents, no animals should be sent for slaught¬ er as casualties without a certificate from a veterinary surgeon stating the actual condition or ailment, or if this certification be impossible, these animals should be slaughtered in completely separate establishments. [4]