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Public Health Department,
Deptford Town Hall, S.E.14.
Telephones:—
TIDeway 1288.
TIDeway 1360. June, 1963.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Deptford.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the privilege to present the Annual Report on the health of the
Borough for the year 1962. There was an increase in the population of 760,
the first increase recorded since 1950. The Birth Rate has increased from
20.02 to 23.02, and the Illegitimate Birth Rate has also increased in
parallel. The Infant Mortality Rate has declined to the satisfactory figure
of 17.63 although, with comparatively few annual deaths, this rate can
fluctuate over a wide range and a general average for several years is a
more reliable index of infant well being. There were 13 more deaths this
year, heart disease, particularly, angina pectoris and coronary disease
accounting for 113 deaths as opposed to 66 last year. Mention has been
made in previous reports of the increase in deaths from cancer of the lung
and bronchitis, and this national trend has normally been reflected
faithfully in our local figures. This year, however, although bronchitis
deaths are about the same, lung cancer deaths are down by six, which is
the lowest figure recorded since 1952, and it is hoped that anti-smoking
exhortations and continued progress in the clean air programme will
contribute to further improvements.
As far as Infectious Diseases are concerned this was a non-measles
year and the notified cases are reduced from 1553 to 259. There were
72 cases of dysentery, which occasioned much work in the collection and
bacteriological examination of clinical specimens.
At the beginning of the year a case of smallpox occurred in an adjoining
borough and special arrangements had to be made for the vaccination of
large numbers of the general public. Most of the vaccination was undertaken
at London County Council clinics, and close liaison was maintained
with the Divisional Medical Officer about vaccination policy and advice
to the public generally. Vaccination facilities were also made available at
the Town Hall for staff and members of the public. In this incident mass
vaccination was not considered necessary but it was felt that, for purposes
of mora 1e, no citizen should be refused vaccination if requested, and in the
event, arrangements went smoothly and with little disruption.
There was a case of typhoid contracted by a child while on holiday in
Spain, but, apart from precautionary surveillance of close relatives, no
further action was indicated. One case of anthrax was also reported.
It is now 50 years since the first Municipal Health Dispensary was
opened in Deptford particularly to deal with the large number of cases of
pulmonary tuberculosis which were coming to the notice of the Health
Department as a result of pulmonary tuberculosis becoming a notifiable
disease. In 1913, the first complete year after the new tuberculosis
regulations were made, there were 716 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis