[Report 1968] / Medical Officer of Health, Cheltenham (Union) R.D.C.

  • Cheltenham (England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1968
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1968] / Medical Officer of Health, Cheltenham (Union) R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    3/30 (page 1)
    ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR THE VEAR 1968. To the Chairman and Members of the Cheltenham Rural District Council. Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honour to submit the Annual Report for 1968 on the health and s&nitarv circumstances of the Rural District. ' “ I am indebted to many officers of the Council for much of the material from which the report is compiled and especially to Mr. L. Grogan, the Surveyor and Chief Public Health Inspector for sections dealing with the work of his department. The annual health statistics are satisfactory and in general are favourable to the Rural District. The Registrar-General*s estimate of the population, 41,430 is 1,070 more than in the previous year; so the growth in population of recent years is maintained. The Birth Rate, S6.8 births per 1,00C population, shows a slight decline, as it has done for the last three years and is in line with that for the County and country as a wnole. The incidence of infectious disease was extremely low due, in no small measure, to the success of preventive measures. Parents readily take advantage of the facilities for immunisation and vaccination of their children against the common infectious diseases. Nearly every child is protected in this way. Owing to the national economic situation only those sewerage schemes can be carried out where the need is most urgent and is a hazard to public health. However seven schemes were completed during the year and that for Haydon and Uekington submitted to tne Ministry. The number of intensive farming units continues to increase. Wnere this type of farm is in close proximity to housing development, householders complain of nuisances. Objection is taken to methods of manure disposal which are in accordance with standard agricultural practice. High power spraying of liquid manure on limited areas of .land is a particular source of annoyance. Some measure of control needs to oe exercised i the development of such land. I am glad to have this opportunity of thanking members of the Council for their support and my colleagues for their help during the year. I am, Mr. Chairmar, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient servant. STEPHEN KNIGHT Medical Officer of Health.