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real danger in the past. Some danger still undoubtedly
exists but the major problems of public health in Poplar are
more closely related to housing and the living and working
conditions of the people.
When allowance has been made for the age and sex composition
of the population the death rate for Poplar is 7%
higher than for London and 12% higher than the rate for
England and WaleS. If figures for sickness or ill health
were available it might well be that they would be equally
unfavourable.
In spite of this the figures do show some improvement
on those for the previous year and it is satisfying to note
that the combined deaths from tuberculosis, influenza, and
all the other notifiable infectious diseases is 40% less
than for these diseases during the previous year, there
being no notable epidemics in either year.
The infant mortality rate shows a reduction from 31.5
in 1951 to 23.8 in 1952. Whilst this rate is extremely variable
and cannot be used as a reliable guide to the degree of
child care, the figures do at least indicate that the standard
of care is being maintained. The care of mothers and
young children is now largely a function of the London County
Council and whilst it is a matter of considerable interest to
the Public Health Department of the Borough Council it is a
matter for report by the County Council and is therefore
not included in the following pages. I have however included
some figures on the personal health services which have been
kindly supplied by the Divisional Medical Officer Dr. G. O.
Mitchell.
In mentioning the services administered by the London
County Council I would like to express my appreciation of
the help given to the aged and the sick by the Home Help
Service which has done a tremendous amount of work to make
life more comfortable for these old or ill people and has
in many cases made it possible for them to remain, where they
wish, in their own homes.
In the following pages of this Report a summary is given
7.