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Public Health Department,
Deptford Town Hall, S.E.14.
August, 1957.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Deptford.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present my Annual Report on the health and environmental
circumstances of Deptford.
The estimated mid-year population of 71,840 indicates the continued
decline of population in the Borough, but the Birth rate of 14.86 shows
a slight increase. Unfortunately the Infant Mortality rate was 25-2 as
compared with 11 -4 last year, the lowest ever recorded, but at that time
I did mention that it was misleading to place great reliance on figures for
one particular year since with the small numbers involved, wide statistical
variations are inevitable from year to year. The Death rate was 13-2
partly accounted for by the large number of deaths of aged persons in the
New Cross General Hospital which are credited to Deptford.
Notifiable infectious diseases declined by 761, due almost entirely to
the fact that measles was almost absent from the Borough. It was
gratifying to note that whooping cough dropped from 114 cases to 79.
However, Sonne Dysentery was very prevalent and 268 cases were notified.
Cases began to be reported from early in the year and were originally
connected closely with the local schools. The especially cold weather in
February, resulting in the freezing up of water closets and ablutionary
facilities, undoubtedly assisted in the spread of disease. Our experience
in Deptford confirmed the general observation that the incidence in the
5-14 group had risen at the expense of the 0-5 group. By the beginning of
the summer vacation the outbreak, had practically disappeared and only
spasmodic cases were found. Reference is made in the body of the report
to the work of the Public Health Department in tracing contacts, collecting
specimens and arranging appropriate treatment with the family doctors.
Undoubtedly contact tracing and treatment of the symptomless carriers
paid a large part in limiting the spread of this disease. Once again, as
one would expect, it was the large families living in overcrowded conditions
that suffered most. Close contact rather than infected food
seemed to be the method of spread.
The Clean Air Act was given the Royal Assent in July and various
sections come into operation on dates to be fixed by the Minister. The
Act places very important and heavy burdens on Local Authorities and
if the problems of fuel supplies, storage and cost can be overcome—and
there is no sign as yet that they will be—the formation of Smoke Controlled
Areas must eventually have a cumulative and beneficial effect on
the cleanliness of the atmosphere in the Metropolis. However, industry
and that must include Power Stations and Gas Works, must also contribute
a fair share to cleaner air in our urban communities.
Once again old people living alone and in failing health, presented
serious problems to the Department. Fortunately the hospital bed
situation was satisfactory and no old person in need of hospital care had
to wait any time for admission.