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8
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have pleasure in presenting my Annual Report for the year
1938, upon the sanitary circumstances and state of the public health
generally.
Health Centre.—The Health Centre in Pine Street referred
to in previous reports was officially opened on Friday, 28th October,
by Lord Horder, G.C.V.O., M.D., F.R.C.P., who said it was a privilege
to open such a unique building, through whose portals so many
thousands of people would seek and find health and happiness.
The Centre represents a breakaway from traditional lines, and
centralises in one building the majority of the public health services
formerly scattered throughout the Borough.
The services are a Dental Clinic, a Clinic comprising the
functions of the Tuberculosis Dispensary, with an X-Ray Department,
a Foot Clinic, a Clinic for Women primarily suffering from
menopausal conditions, a Solarium for ultra-violet ray and massage
treatment, and a Laboratory for the bacteriological examination of
swabs from the nose and throat, sputa and the like. The building
also includes a Cleansing and Disinfecting Station, Mortuary and a
Reception House for the temporary accommodation of families whose
premises require disinfection or disinfestation. Provision is also
made for the Administrative Offices of the Health Department, and
a Lecture Hall seating 80 persons. That this unique building has
been a matter of interest to many is evidenced by the number of
visits paid by many people from all parts of the country. A more
detailed description will be found in the body of the report. The
Clinics have been available to the public since November 28th.
Vital Statistics.—The general death-rate was 12.9 per 1,000
population, as compared with 11.6 per 1,000 for the whole country,
and 14.6 per 1,000 in the Borough during the year 1937.
Infantile Mortality.—The infantile mortality rate was 73
per 1,000 births, as compared with 71 per 1,000 in 1937. The rate
for London was 57 per 1,000 births.