View report page

iv
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Upper Street, N.1.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the Annual Report on the Health and Sanitary
Condition of the Borough for the year 1930.
The death-rate for the year was 12.1 per 1,000 inhabitants, as against 14.8
in the previous year. This rate, being based on the same population as the
previous year as the new Census information was not available, is probably about
0.1 higher than what may actually prove to be the case when the population is
readjusted.
The infantile mortality rate was 70 per 1,000 births, the rate for the previous
year being 73. This is a true figure not affected by population.
Although it has not influenced the mortality rates of the Borough, but is,
nevertheless, of supreme importance owing to the inconvenience to the individual
attacked, the outbreak of smallpox which continued this year was disturbing. It
threw a great deal of extra work on all branches of the Public Health Department,
as in the emergency a great deal of extra work had to be done outside the usual
office hours. The Medical Officer of Health had to visit cases on Saturdays and
Sundays, when these cases had to be followed up, as it is essential to deal immediately
with smallpox. The numbers had increased to such an extent that had the
outbreak not begun to abate when it did, it would have been impossible for the
present staff to cope with the epidemic.
It will be noted that the report for this year covers a period up to and including
the 3rd January, 1931, that is a 53 week year. During the year the work formerly
carried out by the Guardians in respect of vaccination was taken over by the
Borough Council and came under the Medical Officer of Health's Department.
I desire to thank the Superintendent and members of my staff for their hearty
co-operation during a year which has been most strenuous, the Chiefs of other
departments for their willing help, and not least, the Chairmen, and members of
the Council and Committees for the interest taken in the work of the department.
Your obedient servant,
Medical Officer of Health.