View report page

17
VITAL STATISTICS.
For a clear understanding of the problems with
which the Public Health Service has to deal, and to
measure its achievements, one needs, among other
things, full knowledge of the diseases and deaths which
occur among the population concerned. Unfortunately
our information concerning these things is extremely,
limited. The chief source of information the Medical
Officer of Health has as to sickness in the Borough
is comprised in the notifications of certain infectious
diseases -quite a small part of the total illness which
exists. A limited amount of information as to illness
amongst the young children in the Borough is also
available through the Maternity and Child Welfare
records, and some particulars of some illnesses among
school children. As regards the incidence in the
Borough of the commoner forms of illness, such as
rheumatism, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer,
etc., the Medical Officer of Health has no definite
information, apart from such deductions as may be
drawn from the death returns.
Much valuable information has recently been
obtained for the country as a whole with regard to
illnesses among insured persons, and this has been
found very suggestive as to the direction in which
special research and special effort is required. It
would be very helpful if steps were taken to make
such information available in each local administrative
area.
More information is available concerning deaths.
By arrangement with the local registrars, the Public
Health Department is furnished weekly with particulars
of the deaths which have been registered in the
Borough, while the Registrar - General periodically
supplies particulars of deaths of Bethnal Green residents
who have died in other parts of the country.
The mortality statistics thus obtained provide
very useful material in indicating both the progress