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Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
St. Marylebone, W.1.
4th August, 1939.
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 the following report
on the Health of the Borough of St. Marylebone during the year 1938, which, in
accordance with the instructions of the Minister of Health, like its predecessors of
the last few years, is an "ordinary report" and does not enter deeply into detail
of the year's happenings. At the same time, however, it contains sufficient to show
that good and valuable work was done.
Health Centre No. 2 at No. 217, Lisson Grove, which was completed in 1937,
was brought fully into use at the beginning of the year. Details of the accommodation
provided, with plans and photographs of the building, were included in last
year's report. Considerable progress was also made in connection with the planning
of the new Public Health Department which, including Health Centre No. 1, will
form part of the building to be erected on the site adjoining and to the west of the
Town Hall.
As this is the last report covering a full year I shall be privileged to submit
the first referred to the year 1909 and, as may be gathered from the accompanying
comparative statement, dealt with conditions and circumstances in some respects
very unlike those existing in 1938—I may be permitted to take the opportunity of
making acknowledgment of all the kindness and help I have received from the
Borough Council and from those with whom I have been associated in work for
and on behalf of St. Marylebone and its inhabitants.
Naturally, so far as the Council are concerned, it is to the Public Health
Committee that my gratitude is deepest. Uniformly throughout the years of my
service, individually and as a Committee they showed themselves seriously concerned
to perform the functions and carry out the powers and duties delegated to them by
the Council. To myself they always showed the greatest consideration and sympathy.
The choice of Chairman made by the Committee was always sound and happy,
and I have nothing but pleasant recollections of the many men of high distinction
with whom it was my pride and privilege to work in this connection.
Since he is the last with whom I served, and he was Chairman for several years,
Councillor Dr. Fuller is, of course, most prominently in my mind. To him in
particular I would express gratitude for many kindnesses and much most valuable
advice and assistance during his occupation of the chair.
Of colleagues it is to those in the Public Health Department itself my debt is
greatest. The loyalty of all the members to me personally throughout all the years
I worked with them never lessened ; the keenness and devotion of all of them never
varied. No matter what new duties were given to them—and every year saw addition
to the number—they remained enthusiastic and never complained.
Into my retirement I take, indeed, very many happy memories, and those who
have helped to make them for me—Members of Council, Chairmen and Members
of Committee, colleagues and fellow workers—I ask to believe that I am truly
grateful.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CHARLES PORTER, "
Medical Officer of Health.