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vii
Public Health Department,
20, Compton Terrace,
Upper Street, N.l.
June, 1922.
To The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Islington.
I have the honour to submit the Annual Report on the Health and Sanitary
Condition of the Borough for the year 1921. Included are the statistical tables as
prescribed by the Ministry of Health.
It will be noted that the year was marked by the epidemic prevalence of Scarlet
Fever and Diphtheria, but these diseases were mainly of a mild type, and notwithstanding
it is gratifying to record that this year the death-rate (13.12) is the lowest
rate hitherto recorded in Islington, being 0 20 per 1,000 below the rate of the previous
year.
As regards infantile mortality, although the rate (81 per 1,000 births) was
higher than that of the previous year (when the rate was but 72, the lowest on record)
it is creditable to the Infant Welfare work of the Borough notwithstanding, as the
conditions, infectious disease, etc., which prevailed were not so favourable.
Very shortly after I had taken up my duties in October, Mr. James R. Leggatt,
the Superintendent and Chief Sanitary Inspector of the department, from whom
I received much assistance, was incapacitated through illness, to which he succumbed
on the last day of the year. His service of over 31 years with the Council and Vestry
has left its mark on the public health work of the Borough, and outside his official
sphere.
I have to express my indebtedness to the Public Health and Maternity and
Child Welfare Committees for the great interest taken and the assistance they have
given me.
To the other departments and to the members of my staff I am indebted for
much help in the exceptional and sad circumstances which I have recorded.
I am,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
Medical Officer of Health.