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CITY OF WESTMINSTER
INTERIM REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR THE YEAR 1942
Mr. Mayor, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit a report on the health and sanitary
conditions of the City of Westminster. The form of the report is
prescribed by Ministry of Health Circular No. 2769, which directs
that the Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health shall
continue in abbreviated form as laid down for the previous war
years.
The health of the City has been well maintained. The
death rate fell from 21.4 to 14.4. There were no fatal casualties
from bombing. The infantile mortality rate 53.1 per 1000 births
was considerably lower than last year and less than the rate for
London as a whole, 60. While more babies were born, fever died.
Prematurity was again the greatest contributory factor to infantile
mortality. Immunization against diphtheria was actively pursued.
In 1941, much of the work was carried out in public shelters, many
children from other Boroughs receiving protection. In 1942, these
measures were carried out at the Schools and Welfare Centres of the
City; no fewer than 1373 "Westminster children were immunized
almost twice the total in 1941. Tuberculosis cases showed an
increase in the number notified, especially of the non-pulmonary
type. There was also an increase in the pulmonary type among females.
The proportion of food samples analysed and found to be
adulterated was considerably less. Close co-operation with
representatives of the Ministry of Food, both centrally and locally,
was maintained. Routine inspections of restaurants was again
instituted and it is re-assuring to find that after a lapse of two
or more years only in a few instances were serious insanitary
conditions found.
A most encouraging sign of the vigour and well being of our
people is the continuing expansion of the Maternity and Child
Welfare services in response to local needs. The number of confinements
at home have increased three-fold, while attendances of mothers
and children at the clinics have likewise greatly exceeded those
in 1941. It is now 25 years since the service was established by
Statute, although voluntary pioneer work by the Westminster Health
Society had, since 1903, brought the principles of healthy living
into the homes of the people. Maternity and Child Welfare is more
than a service, it has become woven into the life of the community.
The opening of the War-Time Day Nursery at 1 Bessborough Street was
referred to in last year's report. It has now been catering very
successfully for almost a year for 50 children under 5 years of age.
Its success is largely due to the organising ability of the
Superintendent Health Visitor in charge who has undertaken these
extra responsibilities so cheerfully. The City Council at the
request of the Minister of Health and Labour, is taking steps to
open two additional War-Time Nurseries in other parts of the City.
Other activities which have come into prominence during the
year have been an intensified campaign against rat infestation and
improved facilities for the cleansing of persons infected with
Scabies and other verminous conditions. The Council appointed an
officer possessing special experience of rodent infestation, to
organise measures for rat clearance in premises in the City. These
measures are actively proceeding and would be more effective still
if owners and occupiers ware more fully alive to their statutory
obligations in regard to clearing their premises of rats.