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Town Hall,
Bethnal Green, E. 2.
To the Mayor,Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Bethnal Green.
May, 1923.
Ladies AND Gentlemen,)
I have the honour to present to you my fourth Annual Report,
which deals with the health of the Borough of Bethnal Green
during the year 1922.
The health of the Borough continued good as judged by previous
experience, but the death-rate was 15.3 per thousand as compared
with 12.9 in the year 1921. This increase in death-rate was
accounted for by a slight outbreak of influenza in the first quarter
of the year. The death-rate during the last three quarters of the
year was 12.15.
The birth-rate for 1922 was 25.2, and appears to have become
stationary at this figure, which is considerably below the usual
figures before the Great War.
The outstanding event in health matters during the year was
the opening of the new Maternity and Child Welfare Centre in
Cornwall Road. This Centre is well equipped and staffed for
the task of improving the health and welfare of our child
population and our mothers.
The subject of midwifery which is just as important in its
results and as affecting life and health, may now well deserve
renewed consideration by the Council.
As in past Reports, I have to express my thanks to the members
of the Council, and more particularly to members of the Public
Health Committee, for the support and consideration they have
accorded myself and my staff during the past year. I must also
tender my thanks to the officers and employees of the Public
Health Department for the support I have received from them,
and to other officers of the Council's staff for the help and
courtesies received.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
GEOFFREY EUGENE OATES,
Medical Officer of Health.