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4
There is an efficient domicilliary Midwifery Service provided by the
County Council and it is to the advantage of all concerned if full use
can be made of it.
There were 45 premature live births and of these 41 survived.
Of the four infants who failed to survive, all weighed less than
3 lbs. 4oz. and so would be extremely difficult to rear.
The cause of prematurity is receiving much attention at present and
it is hoped that this waste of life will be reduced. Of 10 deaths of
infants under 1 year of age, 4 were due to this cause.
Deaths.
The total number of deaths occurring amongst residents was 566
(293 males and 273 females) compared with 549 in 1956.
The death rate, when corrected to allow for the high proportion
of elderly residents, is 9.8 per thousand population which compares
favourably with other towns in the country.
NOTIFIABLE DISEASES.
The table in Section F sets out the number of cases of infectious
diseases notified during 1957.
Measles.
Following on the low incidence of measles in 1956 there was the
expected epidemic in the Spring of 1957. Out of a total of more
than a thousand cases only twelve required admission to hospital.
Admission was generally due to more severe respiratory symptoms
and all children made good recoveries.
Whooping Cough.
Rather more cases occurred than in the previous year but most
were quite mild and there were no deaths.
Poliomyelitis.
I am pleased to report that there was not a single case of poliomyelitis
in the district during 1957.
Dysentery.
Only 5 cases of dysentery were notified and of these, 3 were
admitted to hospital. All cases were due to Shigella Sonnei. This
organism is found widespread throughout the country and causes a
form of dysentery which is usually mild.