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4
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Haverstock Hill,
Hampstead, N.W. 3.
20th April, 1926.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Hampstead.
Mr. Mayor, Lathes and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you my Annual Report for the
year 1925.
In accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Health, the
Report for the year under review is required to be a "Survey" Report
of the character indicated in their Circular No. 269 dated 21st
December, 1921. It is proposed by the Ministry to require these
detailed "Survey" Reports at intervals of not more than five years, the
reports for the intervening years being described as "Ordinary"
Reports.
The primary object of this, and future "Survey" Reports, is to
review the needs of the Borough in relation to the protection of the
Public Health, and the progress made in meeting these needs, since the
date of the preceding "Survey" Report. The Ministry of Health
stated in their Circular above referred to that the annual Reports for
1919 and 1920 would be deemed to constitute the first of the series of
"Special" Reports.
The ever-widening sphere of activities of the Public Health
Department is bringing it more and more into close contact with the
residents in the Borough. At a constantly increasing number of points
in their lives do they look for and rely upon the advice and help
which we afford.
The activities of all sections of the Department have a direct
bearing upon its work as a whole. It does not call for much imagination
to realise the close connection between the question of Maternity
and Child "Welfare, that of a pure milk and food supply, and the
proper housing of the people. Thus, for example, the regrettable
reoults associated with milk or food that has been adulterated, or is of a
poor quality; and the evils of overcrowding; must tend to produce
injurious effects upon the mothers and children. The subject of
maternity and child welfare, indeed, affords a good illustration of the
juxtaposition of public health questions; no one of which can effectually