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METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM
Report
OF THE
Medical Officer of Health
for the Year 1962
E. H. R. Smithard, MBE, MD, DPH
CONTENTS
Page
Staff 2
Introduction 3
Vital Statistics 6
General Provision of Health Services 20
The Care of the Elderly 32
Sanitary Circumstances of the Area 42
Housing 49
Inspection and Supervision of Food 54
Infectious Diseases 61
Appendix A — Statutory Instruments 70
„ B — Legal Proceedings 72
„ C — Special Reports to Health Committee 72
„ D — The 1961 Census 73
"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