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WAN 88
REPORT
of the Medical Officer of Health
for the year 1951
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth
Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have to report that during the year the health of the Borough
has been satisfactory and there has been no unusual or excessive
mortality.
The birth rate was 13.7, slightly less than in 1950 and compares
with 17.8 for the rest of London.
The death rate was 12.85 and is slightly higher than in the
previous year due to some increase in deaths from influenza and
respiratory diseases. The rate for the whole of London was 13.1.
There were no deaths from scarlet fever or diphtheria and
none of the reported cases of diphtheria were confirmed.
The number of cases of measles notified was 4,299, an increase
on recent years, but only four deaths were reported.
984 cases of whooping cough were notified with two deaths.
Eleven cases of acute poliomyelitis were confirmed during the
year. There were no deaths. In 1950 there were 40 cases and
seven deaths.
There has been a gratifying fall in the number of deaths from
tuberculosis from 146 to 107, with reduction in the rate from .44
to .32.
The infantile mortality was 23 per 1,000 births compared with
an average of 33 for the last ten years.
There were three maternal deaths.
This summary of the health of the Borough in 1951 is written
several months after my retirement and I would like to wish success
for future years to the Council, Dr. J. T. Lewis and the
Department.
Your obedient servant,
F. G. CALEY.
19th June, 1952.