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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 1957.
Infectious Disease
During the year 1,204 cases of measles were notified in the
Borough as compared with 340 the previous year. This follows
the usual expectation in so far as there is invariably an increased
incidence of measles every other year, so that it would be more
appropriate to compare the 1957 figure with that of 1955, namely
1,596. I am happy to report that fortunately there were only eight
cases of poliomyelitis reported throughout the whole of the year.
Otherwise the incidence of infectious disease remains at a low level,
closely following that of the preceding years.
Causes of Death
Coronary disease was again responsible for most deaths. There
were no less than 204 deaths recorded from this disease, only seven
of which were under 45 years of age. Cancer of the lung was
responsible for 68 deaths, of which 57 were in males. During the
year there were 47 deaths arising from accidents and 43 from
suicide. There was one adult death from poliomyelitis.
Smoke Control Area
During the year considerable attention was given to the
preliminary work connected with the preparation of a smokeless
zone to be operated in the southern part of the Borough. Reports in
respect of this were submitted to the Public Health Committee, and
subsequent to the appointment of the Clean Air Inspector in
September, considerable progress was made.
Care of the Aged, and Home Safety
These important Public Health matters are dealt with at some
length in the body of the report.
Holiday Home
During the year no less than 598 guests were accommodated at
the Council's Holiday Home at Bexhill. I make special reference to
this because ever since the Council opened this Home in 1949 it has
been regarded with admiration by many other local authorities, and
indeed many have since followed the example set them by the
Paddington Council nine years ago.
Slum Clearance Programme
Considerable headway was made during the year in the slum
clearance programme initiated in co-operation with the London
County Council. During the year Inquiries had been held on those
areas which it was agreed should be undertaken by the London
County Council, namely Edensor Gardens, North Wharf Road and
Clarendon Crescent. All the detail work and all the necessary
preliminary steps had been taken by the Borough Council in respect
of the Braithwaite Place and Adpar Street Areas, on which a
Ministry of Health Inquiry will be held next year.