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METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF STOKE NEWINGTON.
ANNUAL (ABRIDGED) REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER 0F HEALTH.
for the year 1941.
STO 42
Public Health Department,
Town Hail, N.16.
12th August, 1942.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the metropolitan Borough of Stoke Newington.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
An abridged report concerning the health of the Borough during the year
1941 is herewith submitted.
Although the health of the population has in general been good, there has
been a marked increase in the infantile and maternal mortality rates. In an
area with a relatively small population, as is the case in Stoke Newington,
vital statistics are greatly influenced by a small variation in any of the
factors concerned.
An increase in the number of deaths of infants under one year of age
from 16 in 1940, to 23 in 1941, has raised the infantile mortality rate from
28.1 in 1940, to 62.5 in 1941. This rise is partly due to an increase in the
number of premature births, the majority of which occurred during the intensive
bombing of London.
In August, 1941, arrangements were made for the treatment of scabies in
the cleansing section of Clissold Aid Post under the supervision of a Medical
Officer and a scheme elaborated by which all home contacts of the cases of
scabies were examined. By these means it was found possible to Keep this
disease, which was on the increase, under control.
A War-time Day Nursery was opened at St. Anne's Home, Manor Road, in
November, 1941, for children whose mothers were in full-time employment. This
nursery was designed to accommodate 50 children. It was subsequently extended
to take 75 children. It is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The year has seen a great increase in the number of children immunised
against diphtheria; the result of a combined national and local campaign. In
194l, 961 children attended for immunisation compared with the figure of 137
for 1940.
I have again to thank the Mayor and members of the Emergency Committee
for their support and encouragement during the past year.
The Public Health staff, both permanent and temporary, have worked well
and by their keenness have maintained the efficiency of the services controlled
by the Public Health Department.
S. KING.
Medical Officer of Health.