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METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM
Report
of the
Medical Officer of Health
for the Year 1959
E. H. R. Smithard, MBE, MD, DPH
CONTENTS
Page
Staff 2
Introduction 3
Vital Statistics 6
General Provision of Health Services 18
Sanitary Circumstances of the Area 36
Housing 44
Inspection and Supervision of Food 49
Infectious Diseases58
Appendix A — Statutory Instruments 69
,. B — Legal Proceedings 71
„ C — Special Reports to Health Committee 72
" 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