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ANNUAL (ABRIDGED) REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.
for the Year 1942.
5TO43
Public Health Department.
Town Hall, N. 16.
1st August, 1943.
To the Mayor, Alderman and Councillors
of the Metronolitan Borough of Stoke Newington.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
(4) An abridged report concerning the health of the Borough during the
1942, is herewith submitted.
From 26 The health of the population has in general been good. The infantile
ortality rate of 45.1 compares favourably with the average of 60 for London
as a whole.
Although 382 cases of measles and 151 cases of whooping cough were
notified, no deaths from these diseases were recorded.
Only two cases of diphtheria were notified during the year, evidence
tending to shew that the intensive campaign waged by the Ministry of Health
and by this Council for the immunisation of all children under 15 years of
age, is now taking effect. At the end of the year it was estimated that
48% of children under 5 and 69% of children between 5 and 15 had been immunised
against diphtheria.
A second war-time nursery, for 50 children, was opened at Woodberry
Hall on the 24th August, 1942, and another was being erected at the end of
the year.
The facilities provided by the war-time nurseries have been greatly
appreciated by the mothers. In addition to routine medical inspections,
the children are seen regularly by the dental surgeon at the Council's dental
clinic, and facilities are also provided for artificial sunlight treatment
where required.
There was a large increase in the number of expectant mothers and
children under 5 attending the Welfare Centres, and it became necessary
to increase the number of ante-natal, infant welfare, and dental clinics.
A considerable amount of attention has been paid to the control and
treatment of scabies and verminous conditions which are still prevalent.
This work is undertaken at Clissold First Aid Post and is one of the many
public health duties undertaken by the Civil Dcfence mcdical services.
Arrangements were also made with the
London County Council for the treatment of scabies and verminous conditions
in school children, and on 12th January, 1942, the scheme was put into
operation. This work was formerly undertaken in the Cleansing Station at
Milton Grove, used for A.R.P. purpose since the outbreak of hostilities.
By adopting this scheme, the family can be taken as a unit, thereby avoiding
the difficulties of persons under 5 and over 14 being treated at one place
and school children at another,
I have again to thank the Mayor, Chairman and Members of the Public
Health and Maternity & Child Welfare Sub-Committees for the kindness and
support which I have received from them.
The staff of the Public Health Department have worked well and the
smoothness with which the department las functioned during the past year is
largely due to their enthusiasm and efficiency.
S. KING.
Medical Officer of Health.