View report page

297
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR THE YEAR 1919.
To the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the Metropolitan
Borough of Stoke Newington.
Gentlemen,—
The vital statistics of the Borough for the year 1919 are
more satisfactory than those for 1918. The general death-rate of
12.2 is low, and there were only 4 of the 28 Metropolitan Boroughs
with rates lower than this. The death-rate from the chief infectious
diseases was high; but the rate of infant mortality (the number
of deaths under one year of age to every thousand births) was only
626 as compared with 85 for London generally. There was one
other Metropolitan Borough with a lower rate, viz., Lewisham,
where the rate was 60.
During the year, Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever were unusually
prevalent, and Influenza continued to claim victims, especially in
the early part of the year.
Considerable arrears of sanitary inspection work have still to be
made up, and the recent arrangements for extra services in this
connection will much facilitate matters.
It will be seen that, in all the circumstances, a satisfactory
amount of public health work has been performed during the past
year. I have pleasure in testifying to the efficiency and zeal of
the workers in my Department.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
HENRY KENWOOD.
March, 1920.