Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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precautions were taken, and this is particularly true of accidents in
the home.
Reference has already been made in this report to the national
problem of deaths from cancer of the lung. The figures for this
district, taken in isolation, are too small to form a basis for any firm
opinions, and the fact that the last two years have shown a slightly
greater number of deaths from this cause would not, statistically, be
considered significant.
The deaths from cancer, taking all sites together, have shown an
increase during this year, but again this may well be due to the normal
year to year fluctuation of this figure.
It is again pleasing to be able to report that no maternal deaths
occurred during the year.
Although it has risen slightly above the exceptionally low rate
of 14.3 recorded last year, the infant mortality rate of 17.5 is still well
below the national figure of 24.9, which is itself the lowest ever
recorded for the country as a whole.
MORBIDITY STATISTICS.
These figures give some indication of the seasonal trend of illness in the area, and it will be seen that the year 1955 followed the expected trend, i.e., that the highest incidence of illness occurred during January and February and then declined to its lowest level in August, and then gradually rose again towards the end of the year.
Four weeks ending | Number First. | of certificates of Intermediate. | incapacity. Final. |
---|---|---|---|
25th January | 992 | 2753 | 705 |
22nd February | 896 | 2887 | 873 |
22nd March | 894 | 2761 | 843 |
19th April | 669 | 2566 | 688 |
17th May | 505 | 2489 | 516 |
14th June | 408 | 2441 | 402 |
12th July | 347 | 2318 | 365 |
9th August | 373 | 2237 | 349 |
6th September | 405 | 2303 | 323 |
4th October | 450 | 2373 | 441 |
1st November | 628 | 2306 | 472 |
29th November | 676 | 2354 | 596 |
3rd January, 1956 (5 weeks) | 804 | 2428 | 663 |
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS.
During the year, 70 members or potential members of the staff
were medically examined for superannuation purposes, etc.
This number is greater than that for previous years, largely
because council employees are now medically examined prior to their
admission to the Sickness Benefit Scheme.