View report page

There were 54 deaths in children under the age of one year - an infantile
death rate of 23.68 per 1,000 live births. This is an increase on 1957 when there
were 47 deaths and the infantile mortality rate 22.10.
During the course of the year there were 1,426 deaths. Of these, diseases
of the heart and blood vessels accounted for 421, bronchitis 129, and cancer in
all forms, 320.
As tuberculosis becomes more curable, we are able to give more attention
to other diseases of the respiratory system, in particular bronchitis. This is
a disease which is probably commoner in England than most other countries and
commoner in the north of England than in the south. It may be associated with
our climate; it may also be associated with pollution of the atmosphere.
In the past, one has associated the work of a health department largely
with conditions which are infectious. I think, in the future, we must look to
the prevention of bronchitis, diseases of the heart and blood vessels and cancer
in particular of the respiratory tract.
We already have some knowledge as to the conditions which cause these
diseases, e.g. pollution of the atmosphere in the case of bronchitis, smoking
in the case of cancer of the lung and stress as a cause of heart disease. Public
Health Departments must play their part in helping to diminish and abate these
factors in modern civilisation which are inimical to health.
Public Health Annexe
During the course of the year we completed the Annexe to the Coroner's
Court, providing there adequate accommodation for the Coroner s officers, rooms
for the public, barristers, solicitors and expert witnesses and a modern flat for
the mortuary keeper. I show in this report the entrance to the Coroner's Court
from Camley Street, and a photograph of the post-mortem room.
Co operation
Co-operation with the General Practitioners of the Borough has continued
on the happiest lines. It is my practice now to send to each doctor weekly, a
report showing the number of cases of infectious disease, notifiable or otherwise,
that have occurred in the Borough and I include a note of any matter
affecting the health of the district. By this means, our doctors are aware of
the trend of infectious diseases and I am assured that this has helped them
considerably in the diagnosis of difficult cases.
May I say immediately that no Medical Officer of Health could have a happier
relationship with his colleagues or better co-operation than I enjoy in the
Borough of St. Pancras and I would take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude
and thanks to every one of my medical colleagues for their contribution and
help, not only to me, but to the sick and healthy in the Borough.
iii