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Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Marylebone Road, N.W.
13th July, 1920.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Metropolitan Borough
of St. Marylebone.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour, as Medical Officer of Health, to submit my Annual Report
on the health of the Borough of St. Marylebone during the year 1919.
The arrangement in this differs considerably from that adopted in reports for
which I have been responsible in previous years, the reason for the change being the
issue of instructions to Medical Officers of Health by the Ministry of Health laying
down the line to be followed in each instance with a view to obtaining uniformity.
Although the form has altered the report deals with the same subjects as are
referred to in former reports. Speaking generally the year 1919 was marked by no
particular happening as far as health was concerned. Influenza was somewhat
less prevalent than in 1918, the epidemic gradually wearing itself out as the year
advanced. The mortality rates were in no instance higher than had been anticipated,
some indeed, the Infantile Mortality Rate for example, which fell from 110.5 to 98.5
considerably lower.
I desire to thank the Public Health Committee for the help and kindness which
they showed me. Under Mr. Councillor Sanger, L.C.C., and later Alderman Sir
Henry New as Chairmen, they showed the greatest "interest in the work and were
always ready to give consideration to any suggestion brought forward and to offer
such guidance and encouragement as the occasion required.
The staff of the department worked admirably throughout the year and a word
of thanks is due to them also for their loyalty and devotion.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CHARLES PORTER,
Medical Officer of Health.