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The chief reasons for desiring the change are: —
1st. There would be no delay in obtaining the necessary information
which is indispensable to the Public Health Authorities.
2nd. The Town Hall would be a more fitting place than a
private house for registration.
3rd. The hours available to the public would not be so limited.
PHYSICAL DETERIORATION AND DRUNKENNESS.
In accordance with the report of the Commission on Physical
Deterioration, placards were published and placed in the most
conspicuous places in the Borough, calling the attention of the public
to the dangers of excessive alcoholism and thereby physical
deterioration. Subjoined is a copy.
Borough of Deptford.
Physical Deterioration and Drunkenness.
The report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Physical
Deterioration presented to Parliament by command of His
Majesty, states that the abuse of alcohol is a most potent and
deadly agent of physical deterioration.
In pursuance of this report, and in the interests of the
public health, the following incontrovertible facts are published.
Drunkenness, or the excessive use of alcohol, produces
the most various and fatal diseases.
Lunacy figures from asylums show admissions due to this
cause alone varying from 13 to 30 per cent.
Drunkenness, or the excessive use of alcohol, predisposes
to consumption. It is especially liable to cause diseases of the
stomach, liver, and nervous system. It complicates and
aggravates all acute diseases, such as typhoid, pneumonia, and
erysipelas, which are much more dangerous in heavy drinkers
than in others.
Its hereditary influence is very powerful for evil.
It leads to the ruin of families, the neglect of social duties,
disgust for work, misery, and crime.
Drunkenness, or the excessive use of alcohol, is therefore
a most terrible enemy to personal health, social well-being, and
national efficiency.
By order of the Council,
H. W. Roberts,
Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall, Deptford,
November, 1905.