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3
TO HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR, THE ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF PADDINGTON.
MR. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you my Annual Report for the year 1936 as required by the Statutes
and Orders applicable to my office.
During the year the health of the Borough continued to be good and the improvement in infantile
mortality, which was evident in the previous year, was maintained. This improvement is shared
with the rest of London, but there can be no doubt that the activity of the Council in maternity and
child welfare matters, in dealing with a large number of unhealthy basement rooms, and in many
other directions, is now bearing fruit.
Some evidence of the increased vigour of the present generation of children is afforded by the
course of the measles epidemic which occurred during the year. This epidemic spent itself without
causing more than nine deaths, a small number compared to what might have resulted under former
conditions.
The overcrowding survey of the Borough was completed during the year and the results are fully
recorded in the Report. The survey of clearance areas was on its way to completion at the end of the
year.
The Public Health (London) Act, 1936, which came into operation in October last, has done
much to simplify the law relating to public health in London.
I have again to express my appreciation of the loyal help of the staff of the Public Health
Department of the Council and to thank the members of the Public Health, Maternity and Child
Welfare, and Special Housing Committees for the support and kind consideration which they have
extended to me during the past year.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
G.E. Oates.
M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.H.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall,
Paddington Green, W.2.
12th July, 1937.