The Durant news., 1940-08-29
Narrative Report Of The
Holmes County Health
Department For July

During July, DR.. H. B. Cottrell
and his staff of workers assisted us
in making the Appraisal of Public
Health work that was done in Holmes
County in 1889. We appreciate very
much their thorough and valuable
work. We are glad to report that
your Health Department in Holmes
County has shown an increased score
in practically every item of con-
sideration except vital statistics and
tuberculosis. Of course, as you know,
the Bureau of Vital Statistics is
separate from the Health Depart
ment here and as you recall in the
last of 1888 we had a rather ex-
tensive survey of tuberculosis in the
high schools and the Junior College
of this County; and therefore, it
would have been quite a task to-
have done the same amount of work
on tuberculosis in 1889. We are very
fortunate in having hospital in the
County where X-rays may be made
erculosis. We do not send patients
to the hospital for an X-ray unless
it is rather urgent that we do so.
These X-rays are being paid for by
the County tuberculosis Assdcia-
tion.
Communicable Disease Control
nf 100 Ia
ease were admitted to service dur
ing July. One case each of typhoid
fever, diphatheria, scarlet fever, and
ophthalmia moratorium. Each one of
these cases were visited W withi n
twenty-four hours and instructions
given so as to prevent spread. Dick
tests were done on all contacts of
the scarlet fever case and those with
negative tests were released after
they were given thorough instruc
tions so that they may prevent them
selves from being carriers.
Venereal Disease Control
Our two venereal disease clinics
have been gradually increased in
size. Attendance has been excellent
considering the season of the year.
Blood tests for syphilis have been
made in two other locations and at
Mileston practically all the patients
have been examined and cassified
and are now ready to begin treat
ment.
Maternity Service
On our maternity records that have
just been closed, l find II of these
mothers to have been infected with
syphilis. Of these " that had posi-
tive wassermans, 36, or one-half of
theS, had no treatment for this dis
ease; 16 had between one and five
treatments; 9 had between six and
ten treatments; two had between
ten and twenty treatments; and only
three had over twenty treatments for
this disease. In checking up further
on these cases we find that Ia had
miscarriages, IL had no birth certi-
ficate recorded, and therefore, we
presume that good many of these
miscarried, and three were not pre-
gnant on the second visit. Our birth
rate for the Negroes in Holmes
County indicates that about 1000
Negroes are pregnant each year. At
our estimated rate of infection there
will be 200 miscarriages or syphilitic
babies born in Holmes County each
year. Of course, there is no way to
evaluate the economic loss from
syphilis, but we know that it must be
great.
Infant And Preschool Hygiene
During the month of July infant
and preschool clinics were we'll at
tended. At these clinics physical ex-
aminations an dimmunizations ag-
ainst diphtheria and smallpox are
given. We feel that infant and pre-
school work is becoming one Of the
most important services of the pub
lie health program. When babies are
six months Of age pamphlet en-
titled "Diphtheria" is sent to the
parents of every child giving the
time and place where they may get
their child immunized against diph-
liberia.
Following is a brief statistical
summary of some of the activities of
the Health Department during
July:
Commune able Disease Control
Gas. Vts. Im'z ms
Small pox ....-.......-.----.-0 D As
Diphtheria ............... 2 2 36
Tvphoid fever .......... 2 25 302
Venereal Disease Control
Admissions to medical
service 261
Clinic visits 689
Tuberculosis Control
Individuals admitted to nursing