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Town Hall,
Bethnal Green, E.2.
June, 1924.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Bethnal Green.
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 1923. The health of the Borough continued good
as judged by previous experience, the death-rate being a low record
one of 11.3 per 1,000 of population.
The birth-rate also showed a decline, being 24.2 per 1,000. This
may be compared with a rate of 35.6 per 1,000 in 1903. For every
three children born twenty years ago only two are born now. This
is a very striking social phenomenon. The infantile mortality
showed also a satisfactory decrease which is commented upon in
my report.
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,