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Public Health Department,
Deptford Town Hall, S.E.14.
July, 1958.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Deptford.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasing duty to present the Annual Report on the public
health in Deptford for 1957.
In line with the general trend in most London Boroughs, the population
continues to decline although total births exceed deaths. Last year the
Infantile Mortality Rate at 25.2 was higher than the average for London,
but this year the figure is 12.4 which is gratifying but demonstrates once
again the statistical vagaries that occur when dealing with comparatively
small figures in a circumscribed area. Significant conclusions on trends
in infant welfare and mortality can only be drawn over a period of years,
and on this reckoning the position in Deptford is highly satisfactory.
Notifiable infectious diseases increased from 508 to 1050 due to the
expected biennial recrudescence of measles. Fortunately, Sonne Dysentery
was almost absent from the Borough, and this saved the Department much
laborious work in tracing contacts, arranging for treatment, and examining
bacteriological specimens.
The absence of other serious infectious diseases was most satisfactory.
Regarding Pulmonary Tuberculosis, notifications increased from 103 to
143, and I include in the body of the report a statement from Dr. Rigby in
regard to the excellent work of the Chest Clinic at Harton Street, together
with figures from Dr. Morgan, Director of the Mass Miniature Radiography
Unit on the results of visits to Deptford in 1957.
During the last quarter of the year there was an Influenza epidemic of a
comparatively mild type. This epidemic differed from many of its predecessors
in the speed with which it spread across the world from the Far
East in six months, and which aroused more alarm than its severity justified.
Nevertheless, deaths from Bronchitis increased from 78 to 90, although
deaths from acute primary Pneumonia only increased slightly. As would
be expected, deaths were mostly among the elderly and very young.
In connection with the Clean Air Act, a Smoke Control Area has been
designated by the Council and a pilot survey has been undertaken preparatory
to seeking preliminary Ministerial approval.
The year also saw the passing of the Housing Act, 1957, which was a
comprehensive consolidating Act embracing complicated legislative
measures passed in recent years. The Rent Act was also given the force
of law, and has placed on Local Authorities' Health Departments arduous
and at times invidious tasks which are rendered all the more difficult by the
obscure, and to the uninitiated, the incomprehensible drafting of some of
the various sections.
In regard to old people's health and welfare, relations with the Geriatric
Department at St. Alfege's Hospital continued to be cordial, and there is
no waiting list for admission of cases referred by this Department.
The Laundry Service provided by the Council is proving a great help and