HH62/2/WIGTOW/31

Transcription

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(d.) Rates in the Parishes. - Tables I. and II. show the compara-
tive mortality in the parishes. Wigtown stands highest with a rate
of 29.7 per 1000. But it is to be remembered that the landward part
of Wigtown has a population of only 402, and no rate calculated on so
narrow a basis is to be taken as typical. Kirkcowan comes next with
25.3 per 1000. Then follow in order Kirkinner, 19.9; Mochrum, 19.1;
Sorbie, 18.6; Penninghame, 17.4; Whithorn, 11.1. It is instructive to
compare these with the rates given for the large and small town and
mainland-rural districts.

B. - SPECIAL.

It is proper now to direct attention to one or two special death-rates
from special groups of disease.

(a.) Zymotic Diseases. - The death-rate here is 1.744 per 1000 - not
in itself a high rate - but this year made more than it ordinarily is,
owing to 11 deaths from measles in Kirkcowan, and 6 from influenza.
When these 17, which must be pronounced exceptional, are excluded,
the death-rate from zymotics is very low.

(b.) Tubercular Diseases. - These give 26 deaths or a rate of 2.834
per 1000, or 283.4 per 100,000 of population. This is a high rate from
tubercular disease. For the months of January, February, and March
of 1891, the rates for tuberculosis even in the principal towns were
respectively only 207,255, and 259 per 100,000. This shows that the
Lower District of Wigtownshire is specially favourable to the nurture of
tuberculosis. Previous investigation enables me to say that the present
year is not in any way an exceptional year; it tends rather below the
average than over it. This matter will form the subject of a special
research in future reports.

Note on Tubercular Death-rate in Newton-Stewart. - In the parish
of Penninghame, including Newton-Stewart, 14 deaths were due to
tubercular diseases. 12 being due to phthisis (consumption), the other 2
to other forms of tuberculosis. Of the 14 deaths, 12 occurred in
Newton-Stewart. This is equivalent to the enormous death-rate of
5.136 per 1000 or 513.6 per 100,000 of population. If the Newton-
Stewart cases be included in the district, the district rate becomes not
283.3, but 330.6 per 100,000.

(c.) Other Diseases. - The rates from cancer and circulatory diseases
are not high; the deaths from respiratory disease form not only the
largest percentage of total deaths, but yield a rate of somewhat over the
average of Scotland. What bearing climate has on these facts will be
made obvious in future reports.

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C. PREVENTION OR MITIGATION.

The systematic inquiry I have above suggested will reveal how
much in these results is due to irremovable and how much to removable
conditions. Doubtless incontrollable conditions of climate and soil play
an important part. It is no less certain that defects of life habit and
housing are in part to blame. This last element the steady growth of
sanitation will reduce; and to the necessary inquiries I would now urge
the District Committee.

II. - UPPER DISTRICT.

According to the requirements of the Board of Supervision I now
present my annual report with regard to the Upper District of the
County of Wigtown.

I. - GENERAL SANITARY STATE.

(a.) Distribution of Population. - This district includes the following
parishes:- Inch, Kirkcolm, Kirkmaiden, Leswalt, New Luce, Old Luce,
Portpatrick, Stoneykirk. It has a total acreage of 165,698 acres, and
a population of 20,377. This population, however, includes the 6193
belonging to the Royal Burgh of Stranraer. When these are deducted
the persons to the acre are found to be 0.086 per acre. As in all thinly-
populated parishes, this ratio does not indicate the distribution of the
people, who tend largely towards the available sea and loch coasts,
leaving large tracts of moor in such places as New Luce and Inch
practically uninhabited. The District is in all essential respects like the
Lower District; the main difference is probably not of the social habit, of
housing, or of water supply, but of climate. The villages present the
same features as in the other district, and invite the same examination.
(b.) Recommendations. - It is not necessary to repeat here the part
of my Lower District report dealing with proposals for betterment. I
have only to refer the Board and the Council to the suggestions con-
tained therein. These suggestions are in every respect equally applicable
to the Upper District Committee, to which I hereby commend their
adoption.