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CAM 36
Public Health Department,
Town Hall, Camberwell, S.E. 5.
June 1948.
The Worshipful the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell.
Mr, Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
My Annual Report for the year 1947 conforms to the directions
contained in Ministry of Health Circular No.170/47 dated 31st December
1947 and follows the lines of the reports for the years 1939/46.
The statistical information for 1947 provided by the Registrar
General indicates an increase in the population of nearly 11,000 more
than the previous year -175,060 as compared with 164,330. There
were also 430 more births in 1947 - a total of 4,273 live births
representing a birth rate of 24.4 - the highest since 1920. Other
vital statistics varied only very slightly as follows:-
1946. 1947.
Death rate 13.5 13.3
Infantile Mortality rate 38 39
Maternal Mortality rate 1.2 1.1
Tuberculosis death rate 0.6 0.7
Some concern was occasioned during the summer and autumn by the
occurrence of several cases of infantile paralysis and in November
1947 I furnished a report on this matter to the Public Health Committee.
There were 56 cases of this disease notified to this Department during
the year, but in 22 instances the patients were subsequently found not
to be suffering from poliomyelitis; there were three deaths.
Diphtheria Prevention propaganda was continued during 1947 with
considerable success, and towards the end of the year it became
necessary to establish an additional clinic at the Amott Road Infant
We If are Centre.
For some considerable time efforts had been made by the Council
to secure improved accommodation for the Dulwich Infant Welfare Centre
and on the 2nd September this service was transferred from 114, Lordship
Lane to the Dulwich Grove Congregational Church Community Centre,
Tell Grove, S.E. 22, where more adequate accommodation had been rented
from the Church Authorities.
In the Nunhond area the St. Antholin's Infant Welfare Centre
was conducted in temporary accommodation at 22, Linden Grove pending
the reinstatement and repair of Barforth Hall, Barforth Road, which
was used as a First Aid Post during the War. The necessary work was
completed and on the 19th May the Infant Welfare Centroe returned to
Barforth Hall.
In order that this Authority might complete the Rodent Control
Block Area Treatment Scheme representations were made to the Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries for an extension to the 30th September
1947 of the grant aid under Circular N.5.12. This was granted and
subsequently extended, at the Council's request, to the 31st January
1943. A further extension to the 31st March 1943 was later granted
by the Ministry in order to facilitate the submission of the Council's
claim for the fiscal year 1947/48,