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death were Tuberculosis 3, Cancer of all Sites 107, Vascular lesions of
Nervous System 62, Heart Diseases 166, Pneumonia 28, Bronchitis 47, Suicides
7, and Other Diseases 113.
The number of deaths from Pulmonary Tuberculosis decreased by 1, while
the number of deaths from Cancer of the Lung decreased by 11 as compared with
the previous year.
Notifications of Infectious Diseases totalled 453 as compared with 1,000
for 1955. There were no cases of Diphtheria, but 4 cases of Poliomyelitis
were removed to hospital. The ages of the patients suffering from this
disease ranged from 1 to 30. 13 cases of Food Poisoning were reported and
involved persons in various age groups. Particulars regarding these cases
will be found in the statistical part of the Report.
643 specimens were sent for examination to the Laboratory at County
Hall and I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Tomlinson and his staff for
their help.
During the year, 3,222 enquiries were attended to at the Public Health
Department counter relating to various subjects. Health Education was
carried out by means of poster display and the distribution of leaflets.
In addition to this, a further series of film shows took place during January,
February, March, October, November and December.
The investigation into Atmospheric Pollution has continued throughout
the year. At the latter part of the year, the Clean Air Act became law and
certain parts of the Act became operative. Reports on the various implications
of the Act have been submitted to the Public Health Committee who is
making a detailed survey of these.
204 samples of Food, Drugs and other articles were taken under the Food
and Drugs Act, 1955 of which 57 were formal samples, and 147 were informal
samples. Only one sample was found to be adulterated. A list of the
various commodities taken for analysis will be found in the statistical part
of this Report.
5 complaints of foreign bodies in food were received in the department
and particulars of these are to be found in the food section of the Report.
Dr. C.F. Stott, the Deputy Medical Officer of Healthy has continued to
assist the department throughout the year.
I also wish to express my thanks to His Worship the Mayor and to the
Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee for the help and support
they have given me during 1956.
Finally, my thanks are due to the staff of the Public Health Department
for their assistance throughout the year.
S. KING.
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.