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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Paddington
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you the Annual Report of the
Medical Officer of Health for the year 1956.
Vital Statistics
Analysis of the causes of death shew that Coronary disease
(212 deaths) continues to be the greatest killer. Unhappily
malignant disease of the lung and bronchus continues to increase,
and was responsible for no less than 68 deaths in the year, 80 per
cent. of which were males. Conversely, only 15 deaths were
attributed to Pulmonary Tuberculosis as compared with 100 deaths
only ten years ago. Accidents accounted for 62 deaths, most of
which were in the home and 17 as a result of motor vehicles. In
addition there were no less than 26 suicides during the year.
Food and Drugs Act, 1955 and Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955
The Food and Drugs Act 1955 together with the Food Hygiene
Regulations made under the Act came into force during the year.
Detailed reference to these important and far reaching public health
measures are made in the body of the report.
Basement Rooms
It will be noted that 270 basement rooms were closed during
the year as compared to 35 in the previous year. This was
occasioned entirely by official closing orders being placed on basements
of de-requisitioned property which had not been in
occupation for many years. What, in my opinion, is of greater
import is that, as the result of the negotiations and persuasions of
your Public Health Inspectors, over 70 basement rooms were made
habitable by their owners.
Clean Air Act, 1956
This Act, which makes provision for abating the pollution of
the air is considered in detail in the body of the report.
The Minister of Housing and Local Government fixed the
appointed day for the coming into operation of the Clean Air Act
(except for certain sections) as the 31st December, 1956.
Further reference as to the action taken by this department
as a consequence of the passing of this Act will be given in my
report next year.
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