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PREFACE.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Metropolitan
Borough of Lewisham.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year
1937 on the health and sanitary condition of the Borough, this
being the thirty-seventh of the series.
The good health of the Borough is reflected in the vital
statistics which appear in the report.
The general death rate was the lowest of all the Metropolitan
Boroughs, and the infantile mortality rate and the death rate from
pulmonary tuberculosis showed a decrease on the previous year.
The incidence of infectious disease calls for very little comment.
There was less Scarlet Fever than in the previous year, but more
Diphtheria. Sonne Dysentery became prevalent in the latter part
of the year, 97 cases being notified, but this disease was common to
many other parts of the Metropolis and the Home Counties. The
Diphtheria Immunisation Scheme was revised during the year, and
the Council now supply the immunising material, and pay a fee to
the medical practitioner for administering the injections.
The Maternity and Child Welfare services were extended during
the year by the appointment of three more health visitors, by
holding additional sessions at Bellingham, Forest Hill and Brockley,
and by establishing Toddlers' Clinics at the Lewisham Health Centre
and at Downham. The provision of additional Clinics, one on the
Honor Oak Estate and another on the Downham Estate Extension,
has also been under consideration. A scheme for the treatment of
Minor Ailments in pre-school children at the St. John's Hospital, the
South Eastern Hospital for Children, and the Downham Health
Centre was commenced during the year.
The Council participated in the National Campaign for the
wider use of the Health Services which was promoted by the
Central Council for Health Education in conjunction with the
Ministry of Health. Publicity was given to the campaign by means
of posters and leaflets.