<-LL+- ‘ (2) r H e A18 NOV *5 CM. ANDOVER RURAL DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT of the MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT Off THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH I960 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Wellcome Library https://archive.org/details/b28806906 I960 Chairman Mr* J.B. Tlireadgill, J. P. Vice-Chairman Mr, J.L. Morgan General Purposes Committee Chairman Mr, J.D, Threadgill, J. P. Vice-Chairman Mr. J.L. Morgan Members Mr, R.H.*i. Knight Mr. C. E. Dean Mrs. D. M, French The Hon. Mrs. Butler Henderson Miss N.B. Morris Mr. J. Beaven Mr. V/.N.C, Shearing Mr. W.B. Corbett Mrs. M.J. Mar son Mr. H. T. Jones Wing Cmdr. R. .7, Woodley Brigadier R.D. Waghorn, G.B.E. Mr. Mr. A.J, Gey Mr. G. E. Evans Mr. H.L. King Mr. C. Lovell Mr. 11, Scambler Mr. H.W, Golding Mr. A.W. Ayraes Mr. F. R, Clark Mr. C. j, Dickinson Mr. V/. G. Lovell The Rev. C.B, Verity Mr. A. G. Machin J, Hunt, O.B.E. Public Health Department Staff Medical Officer of Health A, C. Howard, M.D., B. Sr (lend.),, M. R. 0, S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H, ■Senior Public Health Inspector B. H, Young, M.A.P.H. I., A. R. S.H. Public Health Inspector P. D, Franklin, M. a, P. H. I., A. S. S. H. Medical Officer of Health1s Secretary Miss M, B. Lowman Rodent Operative A. Mole RURAL DISTRICT OF ANDOVER PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT September, 1961. To the Chairman and Members of the Andover Rural District Council: Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honour to present my Annual Report on the Health and Sanitary circumstances of the District for the year I960. The Registrar-General's estimate of the population is 20,080, a' decrease of 160 compared with the estimate for 1959. However, the natural increase of population, i.e. the net gain of births over deaths during the year was 217 “ so the change must again be due to a decrease in the population of the military establishments in the district, in particular, that at Barton Stacey. The vital statistics do not differ significantly from previous years, and compare favourably with the National figures for England and Wales* The incidence of infectious diseases was again low, and no serious notifiable diseases were reported. There seems little doubt that the poliomyelitis vaccination campaign has had a good effect in reducing the incidence of the disease throughout the country. Following Sir Arton Wilson's interesting report on "Caravans as Homes" which was published in 1959, the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act,I960, was enacted, and welcomed by most Local Authorities for giving them more control over conditions both in the caravans themselves and on the sites* There is little doubt that in time the Act will eventually lead to improved conditions for the majority of caravan dwellers, although overcrowding of individual caravans is sure to occur until the supply of permanent houses catches up with the demand. During the year, the Public Health Department of the Council was separated from the Surveyor* s Department. Mr. B.H. Young took over the appointment of Senior Public Health Inspector from Mr. L.J. Timothy, and in my opinion, this wsa very wise decision of the Council, and should lead to greater efficiency in both Departments. My thanks are due to the Clerk for his report on housing matters and to the Senior Public Health Inspector for his report on the sanitary circumstances of the District, also to all the staff of the Public Health Department for their continued assistance during the year - especially my secretary, Miss M.B. Lowman. 1 should also like to thank the Chairman and Members of the Council for all their co-operation and encouragement. I remain, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, A l / v*7 •!• I V ■ ^— f f , & ~*>v & . i yj . Officer of Health. General Statistics (1959 figures in brackets) Area (in acres) 67,811 (67,811) Registrar General's estimate of mid-year population 20,080 (20,240) Number of inhabited houses 4,547 (4,505) Rateable Value £210,411 (£209,998) iistimated sum represented by penny rate £854.4s* 6d (£845.3s. 8 d) Hie population trend of Andover Rural District is as follows: - 1952 19,690 1956 21,730 1953 20,670 1957 19,540 1954 20,210 1958 21,050 1955 21,240 1959 20,240 I960 20,080 Vital Statistics Births Male Female Total Live Births 346 171 173 Legitimate Live Births 337 167 170 Illegitimate Live Births 9 4 5 Still Births 10 6 4 Birth Rates Andover Rural District England & Wales Live Birth Mate 17.3 17.1 Comparability Factor 1.09 Corrected Birth Rate 18.9 19.8 Still Birth Rate 28,1 Illegitimate Birth Rate 2.6 per cent. Deaths (All Causes) Male Female Total 129 67 62 Infant Deaths 5 1 4 Neonatal Deaths 1 - 1 Early Neonatal Deaths 1 - 1 Death Rates Andover Rural District England & Vales All Causes 6.4 11.5 Comparability Factor 1.34 Corrected Rate 8.6 Infant Mortality Andover Rural District England A Wales Total Infant Mortality Sate 14*4- 21,9 Legitimate Mortality Rate 14o8 Illegitimate Mortality Rate Nil Neonatal Mortality Andover Rural District England & 'Wales Neonatal Mortality Rate 2,89 15*6 Perinatal Mortality Rate 30.9 32*9 Early Neonatal Mortality Rate 2,89 (The Birth and Death Rates are calculated per 1000 of the population. The Infantile and Neonatal Mortality Rates are calculated per 1000 live births. The Still Birth and Perinatal Mortality Rates are calculated per 1000 total births live and still. The Illegitimate Birth Rate is calculated as a percentage of total live births.) Vital Statistics Births (a) Live Birth Rate 34-6 live births were registered during i960, 171 boys and 175 girls. The live Birth Rate, corrected for age and sex distribution of the population by the Registrar General's comparability factor was 18.9 per thousand population. The figure for England and Wales in I960 was 17.1 per thousand. (b) Still-Births Ten still-births occurred, giving a ret e of 28.1 per thousand births. The corresponding rate for England and Woles was 19.8. (c) Deaths The total number of deaths registered during the year -was 129, 67 males and 62 females, compared with 126 in 1959« This gives a local death rate, corrected by the Registrar-General's comparability factor for age and sex distribution of 8.6 per thousand population. This again compares favourably with the rate for England and Wales of 11.5 per thousand. The chief causes of death were proportionately: - 1. Diseases of the heart and circulatory system - 4_6 deaths or 35.7 per cent, of which more than one third (18 deaths) were due to coronary artery disease. 2. Cancers of various types accounted for 26 deaths (19.7 percent.) of which 5, all in men, were due to cancer of the lung and bronchus. 3. Apoplexies or vascular lesions of the central nervous system accounted for 15 deaths (11.6 per cent.) R. Respiratory diseases accounted for 17 deaths (13.2 per cent.) In addition, there were 8 cases of accidental death, of which k were associated with motor vehicles. No deaths resulted fron the infectious diseases of childhood or in association with childbirth. Infantile, Neonatal and Early Neonatal Mortality Five deaths of infants under one year were recorded in i960, giving an Infant Mortality Rate of 1M.M per 1000 live births. Of these five deaths, one occurred in the first week of life which gives Neonatal and Early Neonatal Mortality Rates of 2.89 per 1000 live births. Perinatal Mortality The Perinatal Mortality Rate which is the sum of the stillbirths and the early neonatal deaths per thousand births (live and still) stands at 30.9 compared with 32.9 for England and ./ales. Infectious Diseases During the year, the incidence of infectious diseases was low. They are set out in tabular form in Appendix 10' of the Report, showing age and sex distribution. There were no serious infectious diseases notified. Tuberculosis 6 new cases of tuberculosis were added to the Register during the year, 5 male and 1 female. Of these cases, 7 were new cases (6 respiratory and 1 non-respiratory) and there were 3 transfers from other districts. There were no deaths and the number of cases on the register at the end of the year was 137 compared with 133 at the end of 1959. National Assistance met, 1918 - Section 1+7 In one case of an elderly man of 86 years of age, suffering from senile confusion, and living in insanitary conditions, it was considered necessary to take statutory action under the National assistance Amendment act of 1951 to obtain a Magistrate’s Order for his removal to St. John’s Hospital, mndover. Fortunately at the last moment, he consented to be admitted voluntarily,and so no compulsion was necessary, v,/hich was a great relief to the .area ‘Welfare Officer and myself ! Immunisation and Vaccination .anterior Poliomyelitis During i960, the Minister of Health decided to extend the poliomyelitis vaccination scheme to include all persons up to the age of 40 years, except for some priority groups where vaccination was offered free up to any age. On the whole, the response in the Rural District was fairly good, though not so good as in the younger age groups in 1959, The total numbers vaccinated during the year were:- Children Under 15 2nd Injections 3rd Injections Young Adults( l 6-25) 2na Injections ird Injections Adults(26-40) 2nd 3rd Injections Injections 242 1008 115 534- 362 173 There is little doubt that poliomyelitis vaccination has influenced the incidence rate of the disease because the national incidence in 19&0 was tiie lovrest for 15 years. Unfortunately, the protection given by the killed vaccine is by no means permanent, and it seems that booster doses will be required at definite intervals if the disease is to be kept under control. During the year, trials were made of the attenuated living vaccine which is given orally instead of by injection, and there is little doubt that this will one day be the accepted method of producing immunity, as the effects are probably more permanent. Diphtheria, v/hooping Cough and Tetanus Immunisation against these three infections was continued using the very popular triple antigen most frequently, although separate antigens were sometimes employed in a few instances against diphtheria and whooping cough either separately or together* During the autumn months, the Primary Schools were visited and booster doses given to tnose children whose parents consented and who had entered the schools during the previous twelve months* During the past few years occasional outbreaks of diphtheria seem to be on the increase, and there is little doubt that the acceptance rate of this immunisation has tended to drop throughout the country. If the disease is to be kept under control it is of vital importance that not less than 70 per cent, of children should be fully protected both in infancy and during the years at school. The numbers of immunisations done in the Rural District are set out in the Table in Appendix ’D’, Vaccination Against Smallpox The County Iviedical Officer informs me that 11+6 infants under 1 year were vaccinated during the year. This represents 42.2 per cent, of the total number of babies bom during the year, a3 compared with 44.0 perceni. in 1959. Administration of Health Services National Health Service .act, 194-8* The administration of these devolved services is carried out by the Andover and Kingsclere District Health Sub-Committee of the County Council. The County Council is the Local Health Authority, but the District Health Sub-Committee has at its disposal a considerable am unt of information and knowledge of the local districts and an important, if not spectacular side of the work, is the appointment of district nurses and midwives* Meetings are held at Andover and Kingsclere in 8 months of each year* Reports are submitted on infectious diseases, births and deaths, inspection of nurseries, immunisation and vaccination, midwifery and maternity serviees, home help services, nursing accommodation, and matters of health importance, in which the three districts have a common interest, Bach District Council in addition to three nominated Councillors appoints two co-opted members, who usually represent a voluntary organisation such as the w.V.S. , the Red Cross or St. John’s ambulance Brigade, and in this way valuable assistance is obtained* During the y^ar, much interest was taken in a pilot scheme for a Meals on 'wheels Service for old people in the Highclere and wool ton Hill Area, and the Sub-Committee is hoping that it may be possible to extend this service to cover the whole area in due course* This service is of great value in preventing malnutrition in elderly people living alone and in many cases enables them to retain their independence in their own homes, thereby reducing the demand on the County Welfare Department for institutional care. HOUSING I am grateful to the Clerk for the following report on housing progress during the year :- At the end of I960, properties under the control of the Council as follows:- (31.12.59) Permanent Traditional Houses (pre-war) 150 149 Permanent Traditional Houses (post-war) 603 591 Aged Persons Bungalows and flats (pre-war and post-war) 124 122 Prefabricated Bungalows 32 32 Converted Ex-Service Hutments 11 23 920 917 The most satisfactory achievement over the past few years has been the rehousing of families into permanent houses from converted ex-Service hutted camp sites. The Council converted a total of 180 huts to living units on 6 Camp sites, and since the war years, many hundreds of families have been provided with temporary accommodation until it was opportune to offer them permanent accommodation. The number of occupied huts at the end of i960 was 11, and the Council have decided to build 6 more houses at Grateley Camp to enable the remaining families to be rehoused and final closure of the site. The Housing Committee have also agreed to give priority to the remaining families living in huts at Chilbolton and it is anticipated that closure of the Camp site will result without long delay. The completion of 6 houses at Pyfield and 6 at Grateley during the year enabled the number of hut families to be reduced from 23 to 11* Although there v/ere no completions of one bedroom bungalows for aged persons during the year, negotiations for acquisition of sites proceeded and the Housing Committee have decided to go ahead with schemes in the following Parishes: - Barton Stacey Monxton Fyfield Penton Mewsey Hatherden Vernham Dean Wherwoll A Contract has already been signed for Vernham Dean and tenders sent to the Ministry for approval in respect of Hatherden. During the year, the Council continued the policy of not proceeding with new building schemes for general needs on account of withdrawal of subsidies and the continued high interest rate on borrowing. It was possible to arrange several transfers of tenancies to provide larger families with houses and the smaller families moved into more suitable accommodation. The waiting list continues to increase, although some 40 families were allotted accommodation due to tenants leaving their Council houses. The number of evictions following Court Orders increased during the year, and the problem of splitting up families when no accommodation can be found for them is distressing, and particularly hard for older people when t they have to leave their cottages on retirement, but the Council are fully av/are of this latter problem, and continue to build to meet the need for housing the aged. Water Supplies During the past year, 134 cere properties have received their supply from the Council’s main, the new connections totalling 119* No, of dwellings supplied from Mains Abbotts Ann 11*0 Amport 98 Appleshaw, part Fyfield, Kimpton 315 Barton Stacey and Bullington 234 Chilbolton 124 Clanville 25 East Cholderton 9 Goodworth and Upper Clatford 265 Grateley 104 Hatherden 46 Hurstboume Tarrant 139 Longparish 115 konxton 53 Penton Grafton 31 renton Mewsey 43 Quarley 28 Shipton Bellinger (Cholderton Water Co.) 208 Tangley 10 Thruxton 77 Vernham Dean and Upton 138 Weyhill 137 Wildhern 34 Wherwell 83 Bacteriological Examination of all Water Supplies Private and Public No, of samples taken No, of samples reported satisfactory No, of samples reported unsatisfactory 50 39 11 Mains »Yater Supply No, of samples taken 7 No, of unchlorinated samples 3 No, of chlorinated samples 4 All samples taken were entirely satisfactory. Drainage and Sewerage During the year, work was commenced on the sewering of the Parishes of Chilbolton and Wherwell which sewer will discharge into the old R.A.F, sewage disposal works at West Down, Chilbolton, Work was reriously hampered at the latter end of the year due to heavy rainfall and high water table. Public Cleansing a weekly refuse collection was maintained in the district throughout the year, all refuse being disposed of at West Down, Chilbolton by means of controlled tipping. The cesspool emptying service continued throughout the year. General Inspection of the .area Visits in connection with Meat Inspection 300 Inspections carried out under Public Health Act, 1936 (Building Byelaws, Nuisances, etc,) 201- Other visits (including re-visits) carried out under Public Health Act, 1936, 38 Inspection and re-visits carried out in connection with the Housing Acts 233 Visits to premises in connection with Pood Hygiene 59 Inspections to power and non-power Factories 28 Visits in connection with domestic water supplies 137 Rodent Control Inspection (this figure includes inspections in conjunction with other visits) 241 Inspections and visits to moveable dwellings 280 Visits in connection with infectious disease enquiries 99 Inspection of Petroleum installations 22 Other visits (including sampling, outside interviews etc,) 86 During the year, a separate Public Health Department was formed* It should be noted in respect of the foregoing table that certain headings do not appear; for example visits in connection with Improvement Grants -jh& Building Byelaws are ommitted as these duties are nov/ performed by the Surveyor’s Department. Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, I960 (Moveable Dwellings) In the autumn of this year, the nev/ Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act came into force* This Act, aimed as it is at a greater control over existing and new caravan sites was heralded by a bare two months prior notice from Her Majesty* s Government. In the short time available before the commencement of the Act (this time coinciding as it did with seasonal leave taking) a complete survey of known moveable dwellings and sites was attempted. This was of a preliminary nature and was to gave an indication of the likely extent of the problem. No further action was taken before the end of December as until that time the recommendations of a joint Sub-Committee set up by the Association of Public Health Inspectors and the County Council were not known. The number of licenced caravans within the district continued to increase Airing the first part of the year, and an application was received for a new site for 12 caravans. The V7ar Department site at Tidworth was greatly increased in number and area but as yet is outside of the control of the civilian authorities. This is not to infer that the site is below standard as it is well laid out and run. Shops No statutory action was taken during the year. Factories Inspections for the purpose of provisions as to health and of sanitary accommodation in the case of power factories* Premises Wo (i) Factories in which Sections 1,2,3,4 or 6 are to be enforced by Local Authority, 6 (ii) Factories not included in (i) in which Section 7 is enforced by the 28 Local Authority (iii)Other premises in which Section 7 is enforced by Local Authority (excluding Nil outworkers premises). No. of Inspections 4 24 Nil Total 34 28 Cases in which defects were found - 6 Gases in which defects were remedied 5 Housing Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 195A. 0 • 0 a No. of Applic- Resultant ations Dwellings '‘Estimated Expense" Amount of Grant Conversions 2 2 £1,500. 0. Od. £750 Improvements 23 AA £23,170. 0. 2d. £10,685 Refusals A - • - - 29 46 £2A, 670. 0. 2d. £11,435 Work in respect of AA dwellings was completed. House Purchase and Housing Acts, 1959. No. of Applications Amount of Maximum Grant 12 £1,839 Informal Action No. of defective dwelling houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action by the Local Authority or their officers A6 Statutory Action (a) Proceedings nder Sections 9 and 16, Housing Act, 1957* (1) No. of dwelling houses in respect of which notices were served requiring repairs 1 (2) No. of dwelling houses which were rendered fit after service of formal notice (i) by owners 3 (ii) by Local Authority in default of owners 1 (b) Proceedings under Section 17, Housing Act, 1957» (1) No. of dwelling houses in respect of which Demolition Orders were made. 6 (2) No. of dwelling houses demolished in pursuance of Demolition Orders or by formal action. A (3) No. of representations made to the Local Authority with a view to:- (a) the serving of notices requiring the execution of works 2 (b) the making of Demolition or Closing Orders 27 (A) No. of houses in respect of which an undertaking was accepted under sub-section A of Section l6 and sub-section 1 of Section 35 of the Housing Act, 1957* 21 (c) Proceedings under Section 18 of the Housing Act, 1957, (l) No,of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect of which Closing Orders were determined, the tenement or rooms having been rendered fit. 0 (2) Ho, of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect of which Closing Orders were made. 0 Inspection and Supervision of Floods (a) Milk Supply No, of registered distributors No. of registered distributors outside area selling milk within the area 8 1 (b) Slaughterhouses The private slaughterhouse at Appleshaw continued to operate throughout the year. It is noted that there has been a steady decrease in the through-put especially during the summer months. The class of animal killed has considerably improved which is borne out by a decrease in diseases detected at the slaughterhouse. It is interesting to note that only 3 cases of tuberculosis were detected in bovine animals in the year. Symptoms resembling early stages of swine fever were observed in a number of pigs presented for inspection during October. The usual precautions were taken and the disease later confirmed. Subsequently 500 pigs were slaughtered and a total of 14 we re found to be unfit for food, (c) Ice-Cream Retail Premises Seven additional premises were registered for the storage and sale of pre-packed ice cream during the year, /ill ice cream in the Mural District is stored and sold pre-packed. (d) Food Premises The number of food promises in the area is as follows:- (l) Grocers and General Stores 39 Bakers 9 Butchers 3 Cafes 12 Licensed Public Houses and Inns 36 (2) No. of food premises registered under Section 16 of the Pood and Drugs Act, 1955!“ Sale of pre-packed ice cr^am 50 Preparation and manufacture of sausages etc. 3 (e) Pood Inspection The following foods were condemned during the yeor:- (a) Butcher's Meat - 8 lbs. boneless meat 7 lbs. suet All food for y/hich condemnation certificates are issued is buried. During the year, 5 complaints regarding unsound food were made to this Department. This is a decided increase and may be an indication of an increasingly hygiene conscious public, 1 complaint in particular was especially interesting. A piece of metal was found embedded in a coke marketed by a fairly large and well known bakery firm, a subsequent enquiry showed inherent faults in their proprietary detecting machines, and the rectification of which may well have saved future embarrassment. (f) Adulteration The Council is not a Pood and Drugs Authority. (g) Food Poisoning Outbreaks There was 1 confirmed cose of food poisoning during the year. - ' Meat Inspection Carcases and Offal Inspected and Condemned in Whole or in Part Cattle ; Excluding i Cows 1 I Cows 1 I Cheep 1 and Calves, Lambs Goats Number killed (if known) 498 1,143 86 1,020 1,039 — i Number inspected 498 1,143 86 f j 1,020 1,039 — i _ All diseases except Tuberculosis and Cysticcrci I : J flhole caroases condemned _ 39 1 i 1 1 16 Carcases of which some pari jr organ was condemned 94 459 6 65 313 Percentage of the number inspected affected with diseases oth^r than tuberculosis and cysticerci 18. 8/4 1 44.4;* ''Sv. . co 6.5/w VC? • x— _ Tuberculosis only rfhole carcases condemned 1 — Carcases of which some part or organ was condemned. - 2 c i 2 Percentage of the number inspected affected with tuberculosis | • 26/