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VIII
was anticipated that the health of the children in the area might
suffer from the disturbing circumstances of the flood. Many parents
were therefore very glad to take advantage of the arrangements made
by the Mayor's Fund and various charitable bodies, notably the
Invalid Children's Aid Association, by which a large number of
children were sent into the country for a few weeks.
The health of the City has remained satisfactory throughout the year.
There is still a further decline in new cases of tuberculosis and in deaths
from this disease. There were very few cases of measles, while those of
whooping cough were more numerous. Scarlet fever had increased,
while diphtheria had diminished. The enteric group has furnished more
cases than usual, chiefly owing to a small outbreak of paratyphoid, which
receives special notice in the report. The birth-rate has fallen again,
while the death-rate has risen, diseases of the circulatory system and
cancer having taken a greater toll among elderly people. The infantile
mortality rate has risen slightly, and the number of women who lost
their lives owing to childbirth is unfortunately two more than last year.
Housing continues to engage serious attention, and the duties connected
with it increase year by year. It. is certainly second to none in
importance among the public health issues of the present day. Allusion
has been made to the comprehensive housing policy which the Council
has initiated. The proposed schemes will, when completed (unless there
should occur an increasing influx from other districts), go a very long
way to solving the problem of overcrowding, illegally occupied separate
basement dwellings, and other insanitary conditions associated with
housing shortage.
Staff.—During the year there were two retirements among the sanitary
inspectors: Mr. E. J. Martinson, who had been appointed under the Strand
Board of Works in 1893, retired in 1927, having reached pensionable age.
He had completed 34 years of faithful and efficient service, and was
esteemed highly on all hands for his high character and proved capabilities.
Mr. F. Aris the senior sanitary inspector, broke down in health after
sustaining an accident, and unfortunately did not recover sufficiently to
enable him permanently to resume his duties. He had served the Council,
and previously the Vestry of St. George, Hanover Square, for more than
34 years. I have with great regret to record his death while this report
is in the press. Mr. John Sanderson, who has completed 30 years, was
appointed senior sanitary inspector, and in virtue of this position certain
special duties were assigned to him. Mr. II. E. White, sanitary inspector
to the County Borough of Croydon, and Mr. W. G. J. Sutton, sanitary