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12
BIRTH CONTROL.
One of the Metropolitan Borough Councils approached the Corporation with the
request for support for a resolution on birth control, couched in the following terms:—
" That this Council recognises that the question of family limitation is one to be settled
by the individuals concerned. It further recognises, however, that a demand exists among
the working class married women for reliable and private information as to methods of
family limitation, and places on record its opinion that such married women should not be
prevented, by lack of means, from obtaining the help they desire. It, therefore, calls upon
the Ministry of Health to allow those Municipalities who wish to do so to provide facilities
for such information through the public services."
The Corporation were unable to give the support desired, as it was felt that no genuine
demand existed which could not be satisfied by medical agencies already in existence dealing
directly with the individuals, or that lack of means was a bar to proper advice in cases of
medical desirability.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Few comments are necessary with reference to the incidence of infectious disease during
the year 1930.
Diphtheria was prevalent to the extent of 19 cases compared with 21 in 1929. The
number of Scarlet Fever cases was 20, compared with 31 in 1929. There were 6 cases of
Erysipelas. Measles and German Measles are not notifiable diseases. Forty-two cases of the
former illness were brought to my notice by medical practitioners and through the medium
of the school medical service. Twenty cases of Chicken-pox were notified, 6 of Acute Primary
Pneumonia, 10 of Smallpox, 1 of Puerperal Fever and 2 of Enteric Fever.
The percentage of cases removed to hospital for treatment continues to be satisfactory.
In each instance of notified disease a detailed examination is made of the sanitary condition
of the premises where the case occurred and a summary of defects found by the District
Inspector is given on page 66.
Notification of Infections Diseases.—In the following tables will be found particulars
relating to cases of infectious disease, and information as to the removal of patients to
hospitals and sanatoria.