[Report 1908] / Medical Officer of Health, Newport (Isle of Wight) Urban Sanitary District.

  • Newport (Isle of Wight, England). Urban Sanitary District.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1908] / Medical Officer of Health, Newport (Isle of Wight) Urban Sanitary District. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Scarlet Fever.—There were 9 cases of this disease notified, 3 practically occurring in one family, and 2 in another, the mother taking the disease from her child that she nursed. The remainder were untraceable and all amongst children. Influenza.—There was an epidemic of this disease in the early part of the year, but it was mild in character and no death attributable to it. Whooping Cough.—There was again an outbreak of whooping cough in the early part of the year, but it was not of a severe character, only one death being attributable to this disease. Membranous Croup.—There was one case of this disease in a young child, which was seen by the medical man in the morning, was immediately injected with antitoxin, but the disease was so far advanced that the child succumbed that night. Diarrhoea.—The number of cases of this complaint were more numerous this year than for the past two years, but no death resulted from it. Cancer.—There were 14 deaths recorded to this disease, as against 6 in 1907, 12 in 1906, and 14 in 1905. For the past 10 years the average has been about 12. The death-rate per 1000 of our estimated population is 1.18 as against 0.51 last year. Small-pox, Puerperal Fever, and Typhus Fever.—The Borough has been entirely free from these diseases throughout the year. Violent and Accidental Deaths.—There were 5 deaths recorded from this cause, as against 4 last year. Two were the result of falls. One was killed on the railway. Two suicides, 1 by hanging and 1 by cutting the throat. Inquests were held in each case. Visits and Inspection of Premises.—Tn previous reports I have remarked on the improved sanitary condition of the houses into which my duties called me. It is with pleasure that I can report that this improvement is still going on. The insanitary bell-trap, which but a few years ago was quite the recognised thing as a drain trap, has now almost disappeared, and has been replaced by the modern shaped stoneware fittings. The pig, with its offensive manure heap and evil-smelling wash-tub, has disappeared from many a back garden. Flushing tanks are in many cases being fixed in the W.C.’s, and that very useful and necessary sanitary arrangement, the inspection pit, is being provided, thus giving a ready and convenient means for flushing and inspecting the drains.