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METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM
Report
OF THE
Medical Officer of Health
for the Year 1956
E. H. R. Smithard, MBE, MD, DPH
CONTENTS
Page
Staff 2
Introduction 3
Vital Statistics 10
General Provision of Health Services 22
Sanitary Circumstances of the Area 40
Housing 46
Inspection and Supervision of Food 52
Infectious Diseases 59
Appendix A - Statutory Instruments 68
„ B — Legal Proceedings 69
„ C — Special Reports to Health Committee 71
"The chief function of the Medical Officer of Health is to
safeguard the health of the area for which he acts by such means
as are at his disposal" "He should endeavour to acquire an
accurate knowledge of the influences, social, environmental and
industrial, which may operate prejudicially to health in the area"
"While he has special duties for the prevention of infectious
diseases, all morbid conditions contributing to a high sickness
rate or mortality in the area from these or other causes should
be studied with a view to their prevention or control".
-from the Ministry of Health Memorandum on the duties of MOHs