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9
Public Health Department,
Blue Star House,
234/244 Stockwell Road,
S.W.9.
Tel: BRIxton 7755
July, 1964
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I have the honour to present my Annual Report for the year 1963 on the health
of the Borough of Lambeth.
The birth rate of 22.01 was the highest since the post war peak year of 1947.
Of live births 17.4% were illegitimate compared with 17.3% in 1962. This high
Percentage was commented on in my report last year.
I regret to report that the infantile mortality rate is the highest for 10 years,
although the figures for the years 1957, 1958 and 1959 are very close to the
Present figure. The reason for this rise is not readily apparent but the increase
is more in proportion in the illegitimate births than the legitimate although both
are affected.
Apart from 2129 cases of measles the year was free from outbreaks of
infectious diseases. Three cases of typhoid fever occurred during the year, one
of which was certainly, and the other two probably, contracted abroad. Because
of this travellers abroad should consider the advisability of being immunised
against this disease.
During the year the Council gave serious consideration to the implementation
of the provisions of those sections of the Housing Act 1961 dealing with "Houses
in Multiple Occupation" but in view of the shortage of staff it was not possible
to deal with more than a few cases. Towards the end of the year the appointment
of two technical assistants to carry out surveys with a view to action under the
Act was authorised and these officers were appointed early in 1964 and action is
being taken.
By the end of the year 11 Smoke Control Areas had been declared by the
Council and of these 8 were operative.
The work amongst the elderly continues to expand. During the year another
visitor was appointed to work in the department and it is probably due to the
efforts of these two officers that it was not necessary to remove any old person
compulsorily from their homes. In addition the work of the Lambeth Old People's
Welfare Association has grown as can be seen from the Association's Annual
Report which is included in the body of this report.