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Public Health Department,
Poplar Town Hall,
Bow Road, E. 3.
Telephone No. ADV. 4414.
TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OP THE
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF POPLAR.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the health and sanitary
circumstances of the Borough during the year 1959,
The general standard of health of the inhabitants of the Borough is satisfactory
and it is pleasing to note that infant mortality which in 1958 showed the
abnormally high figure of 37 has fallen this year to 21, which compares favourably
with other London Boroughs.
Infectious Disease notifications for the year showed a considerable increase
but this was due almost entirely to the large numbers of measles cases which were
notified. This follows the normal pattern of measles epidemics which shows a
fairly marked two year cycle in which a high peak is reached in alternate years,
the intervening years being marked by relative freedom from the disease. On two
occasions outbreaks of dysentery occurred in schools in the Borough but I am happy
to say that efforts made to contain these outbreaks were successful.
It was found impracticable to carry out complete surveys of all areas involved
in the Council's Clean Air Zones because of lack of staff but the appointment of
a Clean Air Inspector and two trainee Public Health Inspectors in the early part
of 1960 will enable the department to carry out its functions in relation to this
very important Act.
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