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11
PUBLIC HEALTH IN FULHAM
1900 - 1964
It is generally accepted that Vital Statistics are a valuable index of the health of a community.
The table on page 15 shows certain statistics at ten-year intervals for the period 1904-1964.
The falls in the death-rate and infant mortality-rate have been dramatic, but the still-birth
rate has not shown a comparable improvement over the years. Under "Causes of Death" it is
important to notice that in the first half of the period, measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever and
diphtheria were serious killer diseases especially among young children. Death from these diseases
has now become a rarity.
Deaths from typhoid fever have also been reduced significantly and the risk of death from this
disease is now small. Deaths from tuberculosis also show a dramatic fall - today they are less
than one tenth of the number in 1904. In contrast, cancer and heart disease deaths both show a
marked upward trend particularly the latter.
Notifications of infectious diseases have fallen dramatically in the case of diphtheria,scarlet
fever, typhoid fever, whoopihg cough and tuberculosis, but have shown no significant change as
regards puerperal fever. These reductions in incidence and mortality are attributable to improvements
in the environment, preventive inoculation and improved methods of treatment.
The following extracts, taken from the Annual Reports of my predecessors at ten yearly intervals
from 1904 onwards show how some of the services provided by the Council have evolved and
also some of the problems encountered in the past.
1904
Dr. J. Charles Jackson was M.O.H.
A proposal to establish a Municipal Milk Depot is reported. This was an attempt to reduce
infantile mortality especially from diarrhoea. It was not pursued because of the cost
(£6OO-£7OO per annum). The appointment of lady inspectors was urged (as had already been
done at Preston) to visit homes and advise mothers - the precursors of Health Visitorsl
491 cases of smallpox occurred in the County of London with 25 deaths. No cases
occurred in Fulham.
For exposing for sale unsound haddock a Fulham trader was fined £25.
Under the heading "Removal of Manure" we find complaints were received respecting
a nuisance arising during the removal of manure from the stables of the Star Omnibus
Company in Filmer Road and Grimston Road.
"Clean Air" was being actively pursued and 19 notices were served in respect of
"chimneys not being chimneys of private dwelling houses sending forth black smoke in
such quantities as to be a nuisance."
1914
Dr. J.C. Jackson was still M.O.H. He reported that the Tuberculosis Dispensary was
transferred to 114 New King's Rd., the premises being leased by the Borough Council. The
Council also paid a grant of £300 towards the running costs. It was also reported that
"Differential diagnosis had been greatly assisted by increased facilities for X-Ray,
laryngoscopic and laboratory work, especially bacteriological examinations of sputum."