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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have pleasure in submitting herewith the Annual Report of the work of
the Public Health Department during 1943, in the continued absence of Dr. Brooke
on military service. Once again the Report is in abbreviated form, as suggested
by the Minister of Health, and figures from which the total population can be
calculated have been omitted for security reasons.
An outstanding feature was the introduction of the Tuberculosis Maintenance
Allowance Scheme, undoubtedly the most important step forward in the care of the
tuberculous since the inception of the Tuberculosis Scheme itself. The wartime
nursery work was again expanded during the year. Both these items added considerably
to the clerical work of the department, a constant source of worry in wartime.
(Comment has been made elsewhere in the report on the position regarding Wartime
Nurseries). The Borough is now very well served and may reasonably claim to be one
of the best provided districts in the country.
The Infant Mortality rate is reduced this year, and for the first time since
1939 is below the average figure for the London boroughs. The reduction is due
mainly to a fall in the number of deaths caused by pneumonia.
The diphtheria immunisation campaign was continued during the year with good
result. In 1942 18% only of the children under 15 had been immunised; by the end of
1943 approximately 50% of the children under 15 had been immunised.
The increased incidence of Venereal Disease caused concern throughout the
country and the Borough joined in the widespread drive to encourage sufferers to
have treatment, suitable posters being displayed and talks to young people were
arranged.
Scabies was made notifiable during the year and a system of home and contact
visiting introduced.
It was with great regret that news was received during the year that a member of
the clerical staff, Flying Officer Goldberg, was reported missing and later believed
killed. A remising junior member of the staff Mr, Goldberg claimed the affection and
respect of all. The shelter supervisor, Mr. Gilbert Bailey, died after a regrettably
short period of service with the Council.
It is a pleasure once again to thank the members of the Public Health and the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committees for their attentive assistance and the entire
staff for their cheerful acceptance of additional tasks and for their loyal co—operation.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
A. B. STEWART.
acting Medical Officer of Health.
10th October 1944
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