London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lewisham 1941
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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Public Health Department,
Lewisham Town Hall,
Catford, S.E.6.
October, 1942.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit my Annual Report on the health and sanitary
conditions of the Borough for the year 1941.
The report has been prepared on the lines indicated by the
Ministry of Health, and, like those for the previous two years,
is in abridged form but contains the principal vital statistics
for the year.
The birth and death rates for the years 1938 to 1941 were as follows, and are included for purposes of comparison
| 1938 | 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Rate | 13.9 | 13.6 | 14.7 | 13.9 |
| Death Rate | 10.5 | 10.79 | 15.8 | 14.36 |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 47. | 42. | 45. | 35. |
The figures contained in this report indicate satisfactory
health conditions generally, but the increase in the number of now
cases and deaths from Tuberculosis in the Borough, although not
alarming, do give cause for some anxiety, as do those for the whole
of the country.
The sanitary administration of the Borough has been
satisfactorily maintained in spite of the difficult war conditions
and the many additional duties placed upon the Department.
Staff.
On the 5th June 1941 Dr. Rose Jordan retired from the
Council's service on attaining the age limit. Her resignation
was received with much regret as she had rendered nearly 26 years
eminent service to the Council, being the first Tuberculosis Officer
to be appointed for the Borough when the Council's Tuberculosis
Dispensary scheme was inaugurated in 1916. During her term of
office considerable developments occurred in the administration of
the Tuberculosis scheme. A new Dispensary was built and the staff
re-organised and increased, with which work Dr. Jordan was closely
associated. Her relations with her patients were always cordial
and I feel sure that they and the Council will wish her every
happiness in her retirement. Her place was filled by the
appointment of Dr. John Everard Stokes, M.D., D.P.H., formerly a
Tuberculosis Officer to the Essex County Council.
I tender thanks to the members of the Council for the
support and consideration which have been extended to my, and to
the staff of the Department I desire to express my appreciation
of their loyal co-operation.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
joha la mailee
Medical Officer of Health.