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IX
Annual Report on the Health and Sanitary
Condition of the City of Westminster.
1938.
Mr. Mayor, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit my Annual Report on the health and sanitary conditions of the
City during 1938. The report is drawn up in accordance with Circular 1728 of the
Minister of Health who directs the form in which such reports are to be made and
specifies any particular matters on which he desires information.
This report has been prepared during a period in which the Public Health Department
has been busily engaged in carrying out its particular duties relating to Civil
Defence. In spite of these difficult circumstances every effort has been made to
maintain the efficiency of the health services of the City.
Vital Statistics.
A slight increase in the births has been maintained giving a rate of 8.3 as compared
with 8.2 in 1937. The Registrar General in his estimate of population has indicated
an increase of 100 persons resident in the City. There are fewer deaths, 1,300 as
compared with 1,432 in 1937, the rates being 10.4 and 11.5. A fortunate feature is
the fall in still-births, 29, lower by 12 than last year. More welcome still is the lowest
infant death rate since 1923, namely 54.9 while the figure for London as a whole is
57. As a cause of death among infants, however, prematurity still predominates
more than ever.
Infectious Disease.
There were no serious outbreaks. Diphtheria caused more cases but scarlet
fever many fewer and 1938 being a "measles" year the cases reached the high figure
of 819—the highest since 1928. The incidence of enteric fever was about the usual
average of one per month. There was a marked reduction in the death-rate from
tuberculosis and fewer cases were notified. There were no deaths from scarlet fever but
one from diphtheria, one from enteric fever and four from measles. Five deaths
from influenza was the lowest figure during the past five years.
Maternity and Child Welfare.
These services continue to be of increasing benefit to the women and children of
Westminster. A new feature introduced during the year was a scheme for the physical
education of the children at the Welfare Centres. Classes under a teacher qualified
in physical culture are held weekly and already considerable improvement is reported
in the general condition and muscular tone of the children taking part.
Maternity Beds.
The vastly improved accommodation in the new Westminster Hospital provides
not only additional beds for Westminster mothers but a standard of comfort and
medical attention unsurpassed in the country.