A Look Back: The Oxford County and Ingersoll Health Unit in 1948

We take a look back at the annual report of the Oxford County and Ingersoll Health Unit in 1948.

By Liz Dommasch, Archivist

As the staff of Southwestern Public Health works tirelessly to combat COVID-19, I thought it might be interesting to look back at its predecessor, the Oxford County and Ingersoll Health Unit, and a report produced by the Medical Officer of Health in 1948:

Oxford County and Ingersoll Health Unit

Annual Report, 1948

I beg to submit herewith my annual report upon the health and sanitary conditions of the municipality for the year ending December 31^st, 1948.

Communicable Diseases – Oxford County has been fairly free of infectious diseases during 1948, with the exception of measles, mumps and chicken pox, no immunization procedure being known for these diseases. No cases of diphtheria not typhoid fever have occurred. One case of tularemia [also known as rabbit fever or deer fly fever, it attacks the skin, eyes, lymph nodes and lungs], a very rare disease in this locality, was reported. This case, however, was of several years duration, the diagnosis being made in 1948.

Immunization is routine for smallpox, diphtheria, whooping cough, scarlet fever and tetanus. The immunization for tetanus (lockjaw) was added in 1948.

The infant mortality rate, due to the combined efforts of all concerned, has been nearly cut in half. It is still too high but, with no relaxation of effort, further reduction should occur in 1949.

Six new cases of tuberculosis were discovered and one resident death from this disease occurred in the County. The entire county has now been covered by mass X-ray survey, a chest clinic has been established in Tillsonburg and all chest clinics in the County have been made free clinics, including X-rays.

A most important result of the work is shown in the correction of defects. There has been nearly twice as many corrections of both general and dental defects as in 1947. Tonsillectomies and dental work in needy children are financed by the local branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society.

The Chief Sanitary Inspector again draws to our attention the great health hazards of stream pollution and roadside garbage dumps. Better control of sewage disposal and establishment of municipal incinerators with garbage collection is indicated.

The educational program for food handlers has been intensified and all food handlers must now be medically examined.

More accurate and scientific methods of discovery of hard hearing children have been made possible by the generous gift of an audiometer to the Unit by the Woodstock Optimist Club. The thanks of not only the staff but of many handicapped children go out to this Service Club.

O.C. Powers, M.D., Medical Officer of Health

Image: portion of the Report of the Nursing Division, Oxford County and Ingersoll Unit, which is appended to Dr. Powers’ Report.