Public Health and Poor Law
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917 the premature exercise of the intellectual functions, the use been 16 6, 16 6, and 17’ 2 per 1000 in the three preceding of spirituous drinks, of high seasoned food, &c. ; and, on the weeks, declined again last week to 17’0 0 per 1000. In other hand, that the increase of the muscular action should London the death-rate was 17’ 2 per 1000, while it averaged be encouraged ; that cold lotions should be frequently laid 16’ 9 per 1000 in the 75 other large towns. The lowest upon the head, and that, according to ancient usage, mild death-rates in these towns were 9’ 0 in Kings Norton, 9’ 3 aperients should occasionally be given.-Journal der Prac- in Hornsey, 10 - 7 in Wallasey, 11’0 in Stockton-on-Tees, 11’ 3 tischen Heilkunde. in Devonport, 11 - 4 in Tottenham, and 11-8 8 in Walthamstow, Perhaps the Doctor’s advice may be useful in Germany, Warrington, and Rotherham ; the highest rates were 21 ’0 in but we believe it would be a difficult thing to find out a Wolverhampton and in Preston, 21’4 in Salford, 21’5 case of hydrocephalus occasioned by precocity of intellect on in Bootle, 22-2 in Smethwick, 23-1 in Burnley, 24-7 this side of the channel. The stomachs of the dear little ones in Merthyr Tydfil, 25-7 in St. Helens, and 28-5 in are more frequently crammed than their brains. Wigan. The 4905 deaths in these towns last week included 492 which were referred to the principal infec- tious diseases, against 453, 501, and 483 in the three pre- ceding weeks ; of these 492 deaths 163 resulted from measles, and 111 from whooping-cough, 72 from diphtheria, 66 from Public Health Poor Law. diarrhoea, 42 from scarlet fever, 26 from " fever " (principally enteric), and 12 from small-pox. No death from any of LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD. these diseases was registered last week in Hastings, Bourne- mouth, Devonport, Burton-on-Trent, King’s Norton, Barrow- or while the REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF in-Furness, Halifax, York, Newport (Mon.) ; death-rates from the infectious diseases THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD. highest principal were recorded in Willesden, Tottenham, East Ham, West On the Prevalence of Diphtheria in the Risborough Bromwich, Grimsby, Wigan, Rhondda, and Swansea. The Registration Sub-distract, forming part of the Wyconebe greatest proportional mortality from measles occurred in Rural 1Jistrict, by Dr. E. P. MANBy.l-This report deals Croydon, Tottenham, East Ham, Leyton, Walthamstow, mainly with the prevalence of diphtheria during two years, Wolverhampton, Wigan, Manchester, Salford, and Swan- 1900-02, in the villages of Princes Risborough and Monks sea ; from scarlet fever in Great Yarmouth and Roch- Risborough in Buckinghamshire. During this period there dale ; from diphtheria in Hornsey, West Bromwich, and were only two months in which no cases of diphtheria were Middlesbrough ; from whooping-cough in Croydon, notified trom the Risborough registration sub-district; in all, Willesden, West Ham, Leyton, Southampton, Grimsby, 69 cases of the disease occurred among a population of some Stockport, and St. Helens ; from "fever" in Hudders- 6000. Dr. Manby pays special attention to the influence of field ; and from diarrhoea in West Bromwich and Grimsby. school attendance in fostering diphtheria. This was particu- Six fatal cases of small-pox were registered in Liver- evident in connexion with the Monks larly Risborough pool, three in Birmingham, and one each in Aston Manor, school, and it is noteworthy that in June, 1902, when the Wallasey, and Hull, but not one in any other of the 76 large prevalence of diphtheria had practically came to an end, the towns. The number of small-pox cases under treatment in children at this school showed an unusually high proportion the Metropolitan Asylums hospitals, which had been five, of "unhealthy throats " when compared with those at other six, and seven in the three preceding Saturdays, was schools in the neighbourhood. Dr. Manby gives the again seven on Saturday, the 21st inst. ; two new cases following table showing the conditions of the throat observed were admitted during the week, against two in each of by him :— the two preceding weeks. The numbeJ of scarlet fever cases in these hospitals and in the London Fever Hos- pital at the end of last week was 1789, against 1851, 1790, and 1798 at the end of the three preceding wseks ; 133 new cases were admitted during the week, against 197, 193, and 231 in the three preceding weeks. The deaths referred to diseases of the respiratory organs in London, which had been 271, 251, and 258 in the three preceding weeks, further rose last week to 282, but were 236 below the corrected average number. The causes of 45, or 0 9 per cent., of the deaths in the 76 large towns last week were not certified either by a registered medical practitioner or by a coroner. All the causes of death were duly certified in Bristol, Nottingham, Manchester, Salford, Leeds, New- All these schools, and Monks Risborough school in particular, castle-on-Tyne, and in 49 other smaller towns ; the largest were much in need of as ventilation. improvement regards proportions of uncertified deaths were registered in Ports- Samples of dust taken from the bare brick walls were mouth, Birmingham, Liverpool, St. Helens, Preston, and examined, but no evidence of the presence of the diphtheria Sunderland. bacillus was found. Disinfection of the school buildings ____ and in appears to have been very inadequately performed HEALTH OF SCOTCH TOWNS. this and numerous other matters Dr. found the Manby The annual rate in of the administration the rural district of mortality eight principal sanitary by Wycombe Scotch which had been 18 5, and 19-7 1000 council extremely unsatisfactory. The inspector of towns, 17-7, per in the three weeks, further rose to 20’ 1 per nuisances ’’ had no book on sanitation or sanitary law to preceding 1000 during the week ending March 21st, and showed an show me of more recent date than 1873-two years before excess of 3 1 1000 over the mean rate the same the Public Health Act was The district per during present passed." in the 76 towns. The rates in the council to little heed to the advice to it period large English appears pay given I Scotch towns from 14 9 in Aberdeen and 18 3 its medical officer of Dr. J. D. who for eight ranged by health, Dickson, in to 21 6 in Leith and 21 ° in Perth. The 657 has done his best, in face of dis- Paisley, many years persistent deaths in these towns included 32 which were referred to and of a which seems couragement salary quite inadequate, 14 to to six to to obtain in the conditions of whooping-cough, diarrhoea, eight measles, improvement many insanitary scarlet five to and three to In the district. It is to be that the of fever, "fever," diphtheria. hoped publication all 68 deaths resulted from these principal infectious this report will effect a much-needed for the better. change diseases last week, against 59, 75, and 67 in the three pre- ceding weeks. These 68 deaths were equal to an annual VITAL STATISTICS. rate of 2 - per 1000, which was 0’4 per 1000 above the mean rate last week from the same diseases in the 76 large HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS. English towns. The fatal cases of whooping-cough, which had been 32 and 28 in the two rose IN 76 of the towns 8501 births and 4905 preceding weeks, largest English last week to of which 19 occurred in deaths were the week March 21t. again 32, Glasgow, registered during ending seven in and two in Leith. The deaths from The annual rate of mortality in these towns, which had Edinburgh, diarrhoea, which had been 21 and 12 in the two preceding rose to last and included seven in 1 London : Eyre and Spottiswoode, East Harding-street; Edinburgh : weeks, again 14 week, Oliver and Boyd ; Dublin E. Ponsonby. Price 3d. Glasgow, three in Edinburgh, and two in Paisley. The fatal 918 cases of measles, which had been 15 in each of the two Lord of the Admiralty at page 11 of that document under preceding weeks, declined last week to eight, of which three the heading of Personnel" we glean the following points were registered in Edinburgh, two in Glasgow, and two in of interest :- Aberdeen. The deaths from scarlet fever, which had been Steps have been taken to organise an improved system of physical " four in each of the two preceding weeks, increased to training for the men and boys of the fleet, the " masts and yards six last week and included four in The fatal training which has served the navy so well in the past having become Edinburgh. no longer available. The details of the new exercises and methods of cases of "fever," which had been two, two, and three in instruction to be employed under the new scheme have been carefully the three preceding weeks, further rose last week to five, of considered and the revised handbook will shortly be issued to the fleet. which four occurred in The deaths referred to Amended regulations for the entry of surgeons have been published. Glasgow. The chief are the scale of for medical diseases of the in these which had alterations improved pay officers, respiratory organs towns, charge pay for inspectors-general in charge ot hospitals, and also of been 92, 97, and 117 in the three preceding weeks, further medical officers in charge of hospital ships, rearrangement of the increased last week to 134, but were 83 below the number subjects of examination both for entry and for promotion, increased in the of the The powers of admitting candidates by nomination of medical schools, corresponding period preceding year.