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3
Public Health Department,
Lambeth Town Hall,
Brixton Hill, S.W.
May, 1916.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth.
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Again I have the pleasure to submit a satisfactory Report—
the Report for 1915, dealing with the Vital Statistics of the Borough
of Lambeth The death rates are low, as are also the zymotic
incidences, results that were not to be anticipated, having regard to
the state of England and Wales in general and of London and
Lambeth in particular on account of the War. A considerable
increase in zymotic incidence was prophesied from the movements
of large bodies of troops between England and the Continent,
together with a breakdown of the administrative procedure owing
to the billeting and encamping of troops, refugees and aliens.
Fortunately, these two prophecies have proved false —due, in so
far as Lambeth Borough is concerned, to the success of the work
carried out by the Council's Public Health Department. Whilst
the Council has applied strict economy to its various administrations
in accordance with the suggestions of the Local Government Board
and other Government Departments, the special work of the
Public Health has been allowed to proceed without interference—
a wise decision.
Extra work has naturally been thrown upon the Public
Health Department by reason of the War, and my thanks are due
to all Members of the Staff, especially the Clerical Staff (both permanent
and temporary), which has worked a large amount of overtime,
so as to prevent the routine administrative work of the
Department suffering. My thanks are also again due to the Chief
Officers and to the Members of the Council for assisting me in
carrying out my important duties as Medical Officer of Health and
Chief Executive Tuberculosis Officer for the Borough.
It may be added, in conclusion, that certain radical alterations
have been made in connection with the Statistics contained
in this Report in so far as their tabulation and the accompanying
letterpress are concerned, with a view to effecting greater
simplicity and consequent economy in printing without, however,
disturbing the yearly continuity of the Reports of past years.
I am, Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
Medical Officer of Health and
Chief Executive Tuberculosis Officer.