[Report 1951] / Medical Officer of Health, Bexhill U.D.C. Borough.
- Bexhill (England). Urban District Council.
- Date:
- 1951
Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Credit: [Report 1951] / Medical Officer of Health, Bexhill U.D.C. Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.
8/52 page 6
![Infantile Mortality There were no deaths of puerperal cause, but the number of infant deaths (that is of those up to one year of age) rose from 5 to 8 (rate, 17.3 to 29.2). Reference to the table of causes of infant deaths shows that three occurred in the first two weeks of life and that all told five deaths were unavoidable. Poliomyelitis There were no cases during the year. Smallpox During January and February, 1951 occurred the outbreak of virulent smallpox at Brighton. This outbreak caused much additional work in the Department in the surveillance of contacts, in the investig- ation of suspected cases at the request of general practitioners, and a great increase in the number of vaccinations both by general prac- titioners and public health staff, in addition to which the Medical Officer of Health as Ministry of Health Consultant was giv^en permission to travel to Brighton daily as a member of the team dealing with the epidemic. Thanks to the vigilance of all concerned the epidemic was confined to Brighton. Sanitary Circumstances Full details will be found in the appropriate section of the report which has been compiled by the Chief Sanitary Inspector. I am pleased again to testify to the part played by this officer and his assistants, whose work at all times was most thorough and efficient. I can but emphasise what has been said in previous reports. The administration and control of the public conveniences were transferred to the Health Department from the Surveyor’s Department on 1st August, 1951. The change was accomplished smoothly and this essential public service is being efficiently run and well maintained under the direct supervision of the Chief Sanitary Inspector. . Housing y\gain it is satisfactory to be able to state that progress in housing continued and in time the waiting list will be reduced to reasonable ])ro}Xjrtions. It is true to say that a large number of applicants for housing and rehousing make their way to tlie Department for help and guidance in their ])roblems. It should be again pointed out that the Housing Committee review all a])plications sympathetically and take all factors into considerati(m in their allocations and, while it is impossible to satisfy all and individual demands, a very difficult task is carried out iinj)artially and thoroughly. It is ])leasing to state that the Housing anfl Health De])artments continue to work together in a most frienbly relationshi]).](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28921690_0008.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
