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IX
Annual Report on the Health and Sanitary
Condition of the City of Westminster.
1934.
Mr. Mayor, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my Annual Report for the year 1934.
This Report, as required by the Minister of Health in Circular 1417,
is an ordinary report in contradistinction to the larger survey reports
which the Minister requires from time to time. In an ordinary report
the Minister does not request full particulars throughout the health services,
but only a record of any alterations, improvements and developments
which have taken place during the year. There is no need, therefore,
to repeat information which has been given in detail in former years.
Vital Statistics.
Last year the birth rate made the lowest record ever known in
Westminster, namely 8.7, but in 1934 the birth rate has risen again to
9.4. The crude death rate showed an improvement on 1933, namely
11.8 as compared with 12.4.
The Minister has asked for comment on the incidence of unemployment,
and, by the courtesy of the Minister of Labour, the incidence of unemployment
is shown month by month throughout the year. There is a reduction
over all as compared with 1933, and the total itself is, of course, considerably
less than that found in most other areas of the country in relation
to the population. There is no evidence that the health of the people
has suffered on account of existing unemployment.
Infectious Disease.
No cases of smallpox occurred. This is the first year since 1927
without a notification of smallpox. The mild smallpox which seemed
to be endemic in London during the past five or six years has apparently
disappeared. There was a small increase in the number of cases both of
diphtheria and scarlet fever, and a large increase in measles, 1934 being
what is called a measles year. There were a few more new cases of tuberculosis.
The death rate from this disease was slightly reduced. Notification
of cases of tuberculosis is being better carried out, as there were fewer