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Borough of Bermondsey.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.
To the Mayor, Alderman and Councillors of the Borough of
Bermondsey.
Madam, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present my Annual Report for the year 1956 and, as
this will be the last report for which I shall be responsible, it provides
a suitable opportunity for commenting on the changes which seem to
me to have taken place in the sanitary condition of the Borough during
my time as Medical Officer.
I came to Bermondsey in March, 1920, as Assistant Medical
Officer in the Tuberculosis Dispensary, so that my acquaintance with
conditions in the Borough extends over about one third of a century.
I was appointed as Medical Officer of Health in the Autumn of 1928,
having acted in that capacity for about six months previously owing
to the absence through sickness of my predecessor. I was fortunate
in having so kindly and experienced a man as Dr. King Brown to
succeed as I was also in having so nice an apprenticeship, so to speak,
before assuming full responsibility as Medical Officer of Health.
From the very first, owing to Dr. King Brown's kindly interest in my
career, I was encouraged to take a really active part in the whole
work of the department. Thus, I was employed far beyond the limits
of work in the Tuberculosis Dispensary and, in the year 1920, I was
engaged in the inspection of houses in the Hickman's Folly area under
the guidance of Dr. King Brown ; this area is now covered by the
Dickens Estate of the London County Council. As in many other
districts throughout the country, the most striking changes which
have taken place in connection with sanitary conditions in this Borough
are those which concern the housing of the inhabitants. For instance,
most of the property in the Hickman's Folly area comprised small
two-storied cottages not only deficient both as to water supply and