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CHE 44
*Note: Preface of Abridged Report. For
information only.
PREFACE.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea.
Madam Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual
Report on the health and sanitary conditions
of the Borough for 1940. In accordance with
instructions from the Ministry of Health, the
report has been prepared in an abridged form.
Complete records of each year's work are,
however, being retained so that a comprehensive
report covering the war period may in
due course be available.
The Registrar-General's estimate of the
resident population is 38,700, as against
55,400 in 1939. This marked decrease arises
mainly from conditions of war.
The death rate of 22.0 per 1000 of estimated
civilian population - as compared with
14.6 in 1939 - is due to deaths from enemy
action.
The health of the population has been
good. The incidence of infectious disease is
low, although the risk of such outbreaks was
serious owing to abnormal conditions associated
with air-raid shelters. Every effort
has, however been made for the prevention of
disease, including infestation by vermin.
The number of cases of tuberculosis in the
Borough w&s lower than last year.
Sanitary administration of the Borough
was satisfactorily maintained throughout the
year, despite the many extra duties thrown
upon the Department as a result of sustained
enemy action. These duties included inspections
by the Sanitary Inspectors of first-aid
repairs to property, salvaged household
effects, billets for homeless persons and