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
Islington 1944
[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, 1945.
To: The Mayor, Aldermen & 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 1944..
In accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Health
the report is, like those for the war years 1939—1943, in an abbreviated
form and mainly serves to record essential vital and other
statistics.
There was no outbreak of serious epidemic disease, and, with the
exception of Scabies, infectious disease generally was less prevalent.
It is satisfactory to note that Diphtheria is still on the decline
end the immunisation work of the past ten years is having effect on
the incidence of this disease. There are no other matters which call
for special comment.
The following figures are of interest and are inserted for purpose of comparison with previous years.
| 1939 | Average 4 years 1940-1943 | 1944 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Rate | 13.6 | 16.0 | 18.6 |
| Death Rate | 10.7 | 14.0 | 14.7 |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 42 | 39 | 40 |
It should bo borne in mind that the war-tine figures relate
solely to the civilian population of the Borough.
I tender my thanks to the members of the Council for the support
and consideration given to no, and to the staff of the Department. I
desire to express my appreciation of their loyal co-operation.
I an Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant
Medical-Officer of Health.