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443
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR THE YEAR 1922.
To the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the Metropolitan
Borough of Stoke Newington.
Ladies and Gentlemen,—
In this short Report for the year 1922, details as to conditions
which do not vary from year to year have been omitted, and it
contains little more than the particulars suggested by the Minister
of Health in Circular 269 of December 28th, 1921.
The suggestion is an excellent one, as there will be no reduction
in the value of Annual Reports as records, whereas the conclusions
arrived at and the recommendations made in a fuller Five Yearly
Report will make these of far greater value than the usual Annual
Reports. The Public Health Committee having approved of the
suggestion made by the Minister, I have, compiled my Report for
1922 accordingly.
The Vital Statistics of the Borough for the year 1922 are not
so satisfactory as those for 1921, for both the general death.rate
and the rate of infantile mortality were higher. These higher rates
were entirely due to the exceptional mortality during the first
quarter of the year, owing to the bad weather conditions and the
prevalence of influenza, which were together responsible for 100
deaths (17 of which were of infants) during that quarter.
On the other hand the Infectious Sickness Rate was less than
one.half of that for 1921.
Valuable services were rendered by those Medical Officers
associated with me in the work of Maternity and Child Welfare
and of Tuberculosis; and the record of work performed by all
the officials of the Public Health Department is a very satisfactory
one.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
HENRY KENWOOD.
March, 1923.