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IV
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Upper Street, N.1.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the Health and Sanitary
Condition of the Borough for the year 1936. The report is an " ordinary "
report as defined in the Circular of the Ministry of Health, but is for a fifty-three
weeks' year.
The death rate for the previous year, 1935, was the lowest in Islington, and in
that same year the infantile mortality rate was also the lowest recorded.
The death-rate for the year under review, taking into consideration the last
five years, was an average one, and the same remark applies to the infantile
mortality rate.
The death-rate for 1936 is 12.44; the infantile mortality rate per 1,000
births is 61.
Although there was an actual reduction in the compulsorily notifiable
jinfectious cases, the deaths from Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria show some
increase, and this also was the case with both Whooping Cough and Measles.
There was an increase of 65 in the deaths from Cancer.
In September the Medical Officer of Health officially represented a number
of clearance areas under Section 1 of the Housing Act, 1930. These were adopted
by the Council and the result of the Ministry of Health Enquiry will! be reported
on next year. In the early part of the year the housing survey work, commenced
in 1935, was completed. I would here pay tribute to the Superintendent, Mr.
G. J. Bridel, for the very able manner in which the supervision of the temporary
assistance and the completion of the statistical summaries of this work was
carried out.
On the 1st October, Dr. V. Freeman commenced his duties as Assistant
Medical Officer of Health. I thoroughly appreciate the value of his work and
the much needed relief the council have thus given to enable me to spend more
time on housing and general public health matters.
Changes in the public health staff during the year involved the retirement
of two Sanitary Inspectors, Messrs. Watson and Bagshaw, and the Chief Clerk,
Mr. H. Angel, officers with a record of long and valued service. Of former
members of the staff, the deaths are recorded of Messrs. Fortune and Cook.
To the Members of the Council, and particularly to the Chairmen of Committees,
Public Health, Maternity and Child Welfare, and Housing, I express
my thanks for their continued interest in the departmental work, and to the
Superintendent and members of my staff for their loyal co-operation.
In accordance with statutory requirements, copies of this Report have been
transmitted to the Ministry of Health, the Home Office and the London County
Council.
I am,
Your obedient servant,
Medical Officer of Health.