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To the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the
Borough of Sutton and Cheam.
Mr. Mayor, Madam, and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you the fifth
Annual Report on the health of the Borough of
Sutton and Cheam.
The standard of health of the community during
the year 1938 was high. There was a further decrease
in the general incidence of notifiable infectious
diseases. The prevalence of Scarlet Fever again
declined, and the number of cases of Diphtheria was
the lowest yet recorded. Serious enteric infections
were absent, and a smaller number of cases of mild
Dysentery of the Sonne Type were notified. A small
outbreak of Epidemic Catarrhal Jaundice affecting
school children occurred during November. Measles
was epidemic during the first six months of the year.
The water supply of the district maintained a
satisfactory standard of chemical and bacteriological
purity. Efficient control by daily sampling and by
protective chlorination was carried out.
The death rate at 9.1 per 1,000 of population was
lower. The birth rate was higher at 15.9 per 1,000
of population. The maternal mortality and infantile
mortality rates were lower.
The sanitary circumstances of the area were satisfactory
and the sanitary work was efficiently carried
out under the direction of the Chief Sanitary Inspector
(Mr. C. W. Newbery).
I wish to express my thanks to members of the
Council for their helpful advice during the year, and
my appreciation of the co-operation of the officers
of the Council and of the medical practitioners of the
Borough.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Madam, and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
ENEAS J. MACINTYRE,
Medical Officer of Health.
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