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Public Health Department,
Lambeth Towh Hall,
Brixton Hill, S.W.
May, 1917.
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 1916 —dealing with the Vital Statistics of the Borough
of Lambeth. The death rates are low, as are also the zymotic incidences,
the latter fact being specially noteworthy having regard to
war conditions that, unfortunately, still exist, necessitating the
movements of large numbers of persons, who may be actually
infected or " carriers " of infection between one country and another,
or between one district and another.
The small but steady decreases in the tuberculosis mortality
rates during past years is noteworthy, allowance being made for
improved methods of diagnosis, which tend to apparently increase
the rates.
One outstanding feature of the year was the widespread
epidemic of measles and German measles as revealed by the compulsory
notification of these two diseases under the new Public
Health (Measles and German Measles) Regulations, 1915, which
came into force on January Ist, 1916. Fortunately, the mortality
has been low, despite the epidemic having been widespread. All
notified cases have been officially visited.
Another outstanding feature of the year was the inauguration
by the Council of the Lambeth Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
Depletion of clerical staff has made it necessary to reduce the
clerical work as far as possible, whilst, on the recommendation of the
Local Government Board, the present Annual Report of the Medical
Officer of Health and Chief Executive Tuberculosis Officer has been
further condensed, with the approval of the Council, so as to place
on record only what is absolutely necessary for statistical purposes,
thereby effecting economies in printing, paper, etc., without, however,
disturbing the yearly continuity of the Reports of past years.
My thanks are again due to the Public Health Staff, the Chief
Officers of the various Departments, and to the Members of the
Council for assistance given to me in the carrying out of my important
duties.
I am, Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
Medical Officer of Health and,
Chief Executive Tuberculosis Officer.