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it was only possible for essential work such as investigation
into cases of infectious diseases, complaints, &c., to be
undertaken.
No intensive air attacks were made on London, and
towards the end of the year mothers and children began
to drift back. A number of the staff were recalled
to their normal duties, and an attempt was made to reset
in motion the ordinary machinery of the Department. All
the clinics were re-opened and, in fact, the number of
sessions have since been increased to more than the
number held before the war. Work under the Housing
Act in connection with the reconditioning of houses and
the closing of underground rooms was recommenced, and
two temporary Sanitary Inspectors were appointed to assist
with this work in the place of permanent Inspectors who
were still engaged on civil defence. In consequence of
intensive bombing this work had to be again discontinued.
These matters, however, more strictly concern 1940, and
will be more fully dealt with in the report for that year.
There is one matter in the report which calls for special
comment—the infant mortality rate. This figure at 43
per thousand births is a record low figure and compares
with 62 for the previous year. The infant mortality rate
for the whole of London for 1939 was 48 and for the whole
of England and Wales 50. Eeference to previous reports
will show that since 1906, the year of the appointment of
the first Health Visitor in the Borough, the infantile
mortality rate has been reduced from 138 to 43. In 1911
the figure was as high as 146.
There was no serious outbreak of any infectious diseases
during the year under review in spite of the almost unprecedentedly
severe winter. The anticipated epidemic of
measles did not materialise, and on the whole the population
stood up well to the changed conditions due to the
war.
Tuberculosis—(Discharge from Sanatoria).—The number
of deaths from Tuberculosis are slightly higher during
1939 than in 1938.