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Health Department.
Town Hall,
Greenwich, S.E. 10.
June 1943.
To the Mayor, Aldermen & Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich.
Mr, Mayor, Ladies & Gentlemen,
This Report covers the year 1942 and is like several of its
predecessors, in accordance with instructions of the Ministry of
Health, an abridged one. Since it deals with a period before I
began to act and while Dr. Waldron, who entered upon Military
Service in January 1943, was still in charge of the Public health
Department, the report is perhaps even more abridged than that for
1941.
The showing of the Borough for the year 1942 from the
Health point of view is eminently satisfactory. The Birth Rate
at 18.75 per 1000 is only a little short of the high figure 18.92
attained in the year 1925. The Death Rate, 13.7 per 1000 is lower
than that for the previous year by 3 per 1000; while the Infantile
Mortality and Maternal Mortality Rates of 32 and 0.86 respectively
are again low and very much below the rates for England and Wales.
For the third successive year notifications of Infectious
Disease were well below the mean. The slight increase in the case
of Diphtheria was to some extent countered by an increase in the
number of children immunized against the Disease.
Scabies gave rise to some anxiety. Owing to increase of
Scabies generally throughout the country, in which the Borough
shared,, additional powers have been given to Local Authorities in
the Scabies Order 1941 to combat the disease. Apart from other
steps taken locally, provision for treatment additional to that
at Tunnel Avenue was made by utilising the Gas Cleansing Station
attached to the Seamen's Hospital. Here all adult male persons
are examined and treated. A trained nurse has also been engaged
to assist at the Centre and follow up cases.
The fact that a great deal of work was done in connection
with the provision of War -Time Nurseries calls for mention and it
may be noted that in May as a temporary expedient, arrangements
were made at four of the Council's First Aid Posts to receive
a limited number of children until the proper facilities were
available. By the end of the year W ar-Time Nurseries were fully
functioning near the Deptford boundary, at East Greenwich and
at Blackheath.
I feel sure that it would he the wish of Dr. Waldron that
reference should be made to the valuable services rendered by the
staff of the Department and tribute paid to them on account of the
work they did and the loyalty they displayed. He would also I know,
like to express gratitude to the Chairman and Members of the Public
Health, Maternity and Child Welfare Committee and to Colleagues
in other Departments of the Council's service. It gives me great
pleasure to do this and to add words of thanks on my own behalf.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies & Gentlemen,
Your Obedient Servant,
Charles Porter.