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CAM 43
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Camberwell, S.E.5.
12th July, 1937.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my 15th Annual Report as Medical
Officer of Health for the Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell.
The resident population of the Borough at the middle of 1936,
as estimated by the Registrar-General, was 229,300 as compared
with 234,400 at the same period in 1935—a decrease of 5,100.
The birth rate was 13.9 and the death rate 12.6 per 1,000 of
the population, as compared with 13.6 and 12.5 respectively for
London as a whole.
The infantile mortality rate was 59 per 1,000 births, the rate
for London being 66.
It is gratifying to record that the maternal death rate was 2.12
as compared with 3.07 per 1,000 total births in 1935.
Except for the biennial measles epidemic which commenced in
November, 1935 and continued until August, 1936, there is no call
for any special comment in respect of the occurrence of infectious
diseases during the year.
The year 1936 will stand out prominently as the year in which
steps were taken to secure the abatement of overcrowding. The
inspection of working-class dwelling-houses for the purpose of
ascertaining the extent of overcrowding existing in the Borough
which was commenced at the latter end of 1935 was completed in the
early days of the year under review.
This inspection of the district revealed that there were 2,950
tenancies overcrowded in accordance with the standard of the
Housing Act, 1935.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Services were further con-
sidered and developed during the year, the most notable extension
of these services being the approval by the Council of the establish-
ment of Toddlers' Clinics at the Municipal Infant Welfare Centres
for an experimental period of six months. The result of this
experiment is awaited with considerable interest.
I wish to thank the members of the Council, especially the
Chairman and members of the Public Health and the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committees for the encouragement and assistance
I have received from them throughout the year. I also desire to
place on record my appreciation of the help I have received from
the staff of the Public Health Department, who at all times in a
very busy year have given loyal and efficient service to the Council.
Your obedient Servant,
H. W. BARNES, Medical Officer of Health.