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Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Marylebone Road, N.W.1.
2nd May, 1930.
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 for the year 1929. It is again an
"ordinary" report, and differs from that known as a "Survey" report, in that it
mainly contains a record of events without going into detail. The next report, that
for 1930, will be of the "survey" type. Speaking generally, 1929, from the health
point of view, may be regarded as satisfactory, The severe and prolonged frost in
the early part of the year imposed a great strain upon young children and the aged
among the inhabitants, which is reflected in the heavy death rate from pneumonia
and other respiratory diseases and the rather high infantile mortality rate (77 per
1,000 births). None of the infectious diseases occurred in an epidemic degree and
having regard to the prevalence of the disease elsewhere, the Borough was particularly
fortunate in escaping with only three cases of smallpox. The receipt of the
approval of the Minister of Health to the Carlisle Street Housing Scheme marks a
further stage in the progress towards a clearance of an area in which the housing
conditions are extremely unsatisfactory. Under the chairmanship of Mr. Councillor
P. O'Connell and later of Councillor Dr. Fuller, the Public Health Committee, as
ever, took the keenest interest in the work done and never failed to give real
encouragement and support.
For this help and all the kindness and consideration shewn I desire to express
sincere appreciation and thanks, and to the members of the staff whose industry and
loyalty were unfailing, I offer my thanks also.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CHARLES PORTER.
Medical Officer of Health.