Report of the Chief Medical Officer / Barbados.

  • Barbados. Department of Medical Services.
Date:
[1943]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: Report of the Chief Medical Officer / Barbados. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/28 (page 8)
    Births and Birth-rates. 31. During 1942, the number of recorded births was 202 less than in the previous year and the birth-rate fell by 1.39 per thousand. 32. The percentage of illegitimate births for the year was 59.17. The parish of St. Michael has the highest percentage for 1942 (61.79%) while St. Joseph has the lowest (53.26%). This high illegitimacy rate may reflect some light on the high infantile mortality. Deaths and Death-rate. 33. During 1942 there were 3,275 deaths, 627 less than in the previous year; and the death-rate fell from 19.71 in 1941 to 16.32 in 1942. This is one of the lowest death-rates on record. Infant mortality. 34. In this Island there is a close relationship between the death- rate and the infantile mortality rate and it is very gratifying to note that this year the latter rate is the lowest recorded, viz: 175. From 1937 to 1941 the infantile mortality rates have been 217, 222, 194, 180 and 224. Although the rate recorded this year (175) is an im¬ provement, it is still far too high and more intensive efforts must be made to bring about a still further and considerable reduction. Such efforts may be briefly summed up as a maternity and child welfare scheme and properly qualified midwives. 35. The diseases mainly responsible for the high infantile mor¬ tality were Congenital Debility (279), Diarrhoea and Enteritis (257), Pre¬ mature births (101), Syphilis (77), Pneumonia (71) and Tetanus (28) These diseases are largely preventable and accounted for 83% of all infant deaths (980). 36. In conclusion I am pleased to be able to record that despite the restrictions and deprivations of war, the health of the Island was above average. PART III. INSTITUTIONS. The Barbados General Hospital. 37. During the year under review the Hon. G. D. L. Pile, O.B.E., B.A., M.C.P., was Chairman of the Hospital Board. There were 21 meetings of the Board during the year. 38. Up to the end of the year the Hospital Board has found it impossible to fill the vacant post of House Surgeon and Dr. A. S. Cato continues to be employed as a part-time officer to assist the Resident Staff. This shortage will probably be more acute in the following year as on the 19th March, 1943, Dr. R. M. Lattey gave three^months’ notice of his resignation as House Surgeon. 39. During the year there were several changes in the nursing staff. Miss A. Gilgour, Miss N. Cotton and Miss R. Moosa resigned fyhejr p;osts as Assistant Matron, Pay Ward Sister and Tutor and