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CAM 34
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Camberwell, S.E. 5.
20th August 1946.
The Worshipful the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell.
Mr. Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
I have pleasure in presenting to you. my annual report on the
work of the public health services of the Borough for the year 1945.
This report has been prepared on the lines of those previously submitted
during the war years and is in accordance with the directions
of Ministry of Health Circular 28/46 dated the 11th February, 1946.
There were no matters of particular significance affecting the
health of the inhabitants of Camberwell which require Special reference.
Although the majority of the people gave the appearance of
mental and physical tiredness result from the strain of war the
health of the Borough was satisfactory. The birth rate shows an
increase from 18.9 in 1944 to 19.5 per 1000 o f the population, and
the death rate fell to 14.5 as compared with 18.7 in the previous
year. The infantile mortality rate dropped from 52 in 1944 to 34
per 1000 live births in the year under review, the lowest figure
ever recorded, in Camborwell. The deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis
totalled 118 as compared with 96 in the previous year and the deaths
from all forms of tuborculosis 126 as against 109 in the previous
year. The death rates from these causes were 0.8 and 0.9 per 1000
of the population respectively as compared with 0.7 and 0.8 in 1944.
There was an Increase in the number or cases of infections and
other diseasos reported during the year, viz. 2363 as compered with
1712 in 1944. This increase was mainly due to the incidence of
measles throughout the year, the highest recording of cases occurring
in the months of March and April, and to the notification of approximately
100 additional cases of seabies. It is pleasing to record
that the number of cases of diphthoria continues to fall, the number
notified during the year was only 54; there were two deaths from this
cause. Efforts to stimulate public interest in the Diphtheria Imminisation
Campaign were continued and the statistics published on page
4 of this report reflect the measure of success of these activities.
The sanitary administration in spite of the many difficulties
arising from war conditions was maintained at a satisfactory level.
With the cessation of hostilities the Council gave early consideration
to the need for additional Infant Welfare Centre facilities
in view of the return of evacuees to the Metropolis and an anticipated
rise in the birth rate. As a result the Amott Road Voluntary Association
Centre which was closed during the war was re-opened under
Municipal direction; the possibility of establishing an additional
Infant Welfare Centre in the Northern part of the Borough was explored
and the St. Antholin's Centre which for a number of years was conducted
by a Voluntary Association was transferred to Municipal control
during the year. The "Toddlers" clinics, which were such an important
and popular feature of the Infant Welfare Service before the war,
were also re-established.