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all illnesses to-day, namely, neurosis. Environmental public health
also involves the Medical Officer of Health's department—chiefly through
the Sanitary Inspectors—in the important functions of house repairs,
abatement of nuisances, cleanliness of foods, disinfection of premises,
disinfestation of persons and premises, destruction of rats and mice,
prevention of atmospheric pollution, purity of water supply—everything
indeed in the immediate surroundings of the individual or family or
group which contributes to health comfort and happiness.
(b) The Personal Health Services
These have grown up during the twentieth century. They include :—
(a) all services for the care of expectant and nursing mothers and
children up to the age of five years provided by the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee of the Council, and
(b) the School Medical Service administered by the Education
Committee.
On the 5th July the personal health services passed to the new
Health Authority under the 1946 Act—Middlesex County Council—and
will be administered as Area No. 3 of the County Council's Scheme
which comprises the Boroughs of Hornsey and Tottenham.
The Borough Council, through its Health, Housing and Highways
Committees, remains responsible for the environmental hygiene of the
Town.
In the work of this many-sided and vast domain of public health
involving directly or indirectly practically every Committee of the Council,
there is the closest co-operation and understanding between the Departments,
and my Department is constantly indebted to the Town Clerk,
Borough Engineer & Surveyor, Housing Manager and other Officers for
their help.
Reports for 1947 have already been submitted to the Education
Committee and to the Council with a survey of the personal health
services from their inception in 1907 (School Medical) and 1915 (Maternity
and Child Welfare). It remains only to report to the Health Committee
on the Vital Statistics of the Borough, the incidence of infectious disease,
the destruction of rats and mice, disinfection, disinfestation, food
inspection and other measures which are the responsibility of the Public
Health Committee.
Vital Statistics
The Vital Statistics of the Borough in 1947 were the best in its
history and there is no reason to believe that during 1948 to date there
has been any deterioration. The infant mortality figure of 26.43the
lowest recorded, and the infant mortality rate is generally regarded as
the most delicate index of social, economic and cultural conditions in
a community. It is just one quarter of what it was at the beginning of
the century.
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