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Town Hall
Hammersmith, W. 6.
To the Mayor Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith
Mr. Mayor, Ladles and Gentlemen,
Herewith I beg to present to you my Annual Report upon the health
circumstances of the Borough for the year 1957 Once again, I regret that
it is not possible to publish it sooner as it is necessary to include in
the report vital statistics which cannot be calculated until the necessary
figures are received from the Registrar General
Fortunately I have nothing serious on which to comment so far as epidemics
are concerned Poliomyelitis occurred only in minimum incidence and
the serious infectious diseases were equally scarce On the other hand
milder conditions were prevalent from time to time Sonne Dysentery gave
some trouble, particularly at the Uxbridge Road Day Nursery, and measles
totalled 1,267 cases mostly in the schools The position of lung cancer
continues to stimulate apprehension A further increase occurred and the
almost meteoric rise in the death rate shows no sign of slackening
The closing months of the year were notable because of preparations
necessary to implement the coming Clean Air Act The council wisely decided
to try and form a condominium of neighbouring authorities The Councils of
Acton Barnes Brentford & Chiswick, Fulham and Willesden were approached
so that orderly planning of smoke control areas was achieved rather than
the higgledy-piggledy and scattered setting up of smoke control areas which
is evident elsewhere At the time of writing, Barnes, Brentford & Chiswick,
Fulham and Willesden all have in mind the advantages of fusion of areas, and
planning proceeds in that direction
Finally Mr Mayor Ladies and Gentlemen it is my pleasure to express
my appreciation of the kindness and consideration shown to me by the Chairman
Vice-Chairman and Members of the Health Committee and to record my
thanks to all the Staff of the Department for their loyal co-operation and
support throughout the year
I am your Worship Ladies and Gentlemen
Your obedient Servant
F. M. DAY,
Medical Officer of Health.
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