View report page

I.—Five Years' Survey.
II.—Vital Statistics.
III. —Notifications of Infectious Disease.
IV.—Sanitary Administration.
V.—Tuberculosis.
VI.—Propaganda.
VII. —Maternity and Child Welfare.
VIII.—Dental Treatment.
IX.—Appendix.
The Ministry of Health has instructed Medical Officers of
Health to include in their Annual Reports of this year a Survey
for the past five years. It has also been decided to alter somewhat
the headings of the various sections of the Report, since, in
the course of its evolution, the work of Public Health in Bermondsey
has become divided into several more or less self-contained
sub-departments, which we are designating as "sections."
Each of these sections is an important unit in itself, and I think
each deserves a separate place in the Annual Report.
Those members of the Council who are not on the Public
Health or Maternity and Child Welfare Committees will, on
reading this document, see the enormous amount of work that has
been done in these various sections. Each of them has an officer
who is responsible for the activities of his special section. Taking
them in chronological order, you have Mr. H. W. Bush, Chief
Clerk and Assistant Administrative Officer, Mr. E C Freeman,
Chief Sanitary Inspector; Messrs Scott and Hoskins, in charge
of the Wharves; Drs. Maud C. Cairney and Ruth Plimsoll, in
charge of the Health Visitors; Dr. D. M. Oonnan, Deputy Medical
Officer of Health, responsible for the Tuberculosis, Propaganda
and Light Sections; and Mr. Grantley Smith, for the dental work.
This team is a large and varied one, and it is my duty as Medical
Officer of Health to supervise them all, co-ordinate their activities,
and see that they, still using the analogy of a " team," are all
pulling together, and driving in the right direction. My task, I
am happy to say, is a light one, and beyond keeping the reins in
my hands, there is no driving to be done, for the team is a most