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2
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury-
MR MAYOR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I have the honour to present my Annual Report for 1955 on the
work of the Health Department. In the preparation of this report I
have taken the opportunity to review the period which has elapsed
since the end of the second world war with particular reference to the
last five years.
There can be no doubt but that the health of the citizens of this
borough shews, generally speaking, very considerable improvement on
pre-war years, This is demonstrated by the very happy fall in the
general death rate and especially the infant mortality rate.
When we come to consider infectious diseases we may be almost
elated at the transformation of the scene. Diphtheria has disappeared
and measles and scarlet,fever have become more a nuisance than a worry
and whooping cough and cerebrospinal fever (now included under the
wider expression of meningococcal infections) though still the cause
of a few deaths and more ill-health have lost much of their former
virulence. Tuberculosis, however, remains a serious threat to Life
and Health but even its powers for evil have been considerably restricted.
It is true that dysentery has spread widely and is frequently
attacking young children and even adults but its effects are
normally not lasting Unfortunately against all this poliomyelitis
has now become a more frequent cause of serious permanent injury but
in this respect Finsbury has suffered less than most areas.
On the other hand two conditions have become much more common
than before; coronary thrombosis and cancer, and in particular cancer
of the lung. It is not very long since these diseases were comparatively
rare and now between them they are responsible for 15 per
cent. of deaths, and mortality from them appears to be still rising
These comments refer to the rates throughout the country generally
In Finsbury the rates for coronary thrombosis are comparable with the
general rates but for cancer of the lung they are among the highest in
the country.
We know so little of the causation of these diseases that not
much can be done by way of prevention at present but a constant study
will, it is to be hoped, point the way to effective measures