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Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
St. Marylebone, W.l.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Metropolitan Borough of St. Marylebone.
Mr. Mayor, my Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Health conditions generally in the Borough continued to be satisfactory throughout the year 1950,
and there are no untoward happenings to record in this respect.
The home population of 78,260, as estimated by the Registrar-General, was fewer by 1,550 than
the estimate (79,810) for 1949. (Page 4)
The birth-rate dropped still further from 11.44 (1949) to 10.99, and the infantile mortality rate
of 22.09 reached a new record low level. The death-rate of 11.64 also was lower than the 1949
figure (12.00). (Page 4)
The revised mortality table, based upon the new international classification of death causes, is
used in this report for the first time. (Page 4)
Notifications of infectious and other diseases declined from 851 (1949) to 749, of which measles
accounted for 323 and whooping cough 170. Seven cases of poliomyelitis were reported, but again
there was no case of diphtheria. (Page 20)
Methylated spirit drinking was suspected to be on the increase, more particularly in a common
lodging house for men, and an investigation into the practice and its effects formed the subject of
a report to the Public Health Committee. (Page 13)
In anticipation of future slum clearance and housing development programmes, a further survey
of the Borough was completed in the early part of the year. (Page 15)
With its numerous restaurants and other eating-places, one of the Borough's largest industries
is catering. Food hygiene, therefore, received special attention and the formation of the
St. Marylebone Clean Food Association, upon which the Borough Council is represented, proved
a valuable aid in the campaign to secure improved conditions in the preparation and handling of
food. (Page 16)
The majority of the 1,700 factories in St. Marylebone are engaged in the making of wearing apparel.
A survey of all such premises, commenced towards the end of 1949, was practically completed during
the year and resulted in the service of over 400 notices calling for the remedy of defective conditions.
(Page 12)
Rodent control measures were extended, more especially in an endeavour to combat the menace
of the black rat, and "block control" in the eastern part of the Borough was continued on a larger
scale. In the majority of infestations the owners or occupiers of the premises involved took advantage
of the rodent destruction service provided by the Council. In this connection the charge previously
made for treatment at residential properties was abolished and a free service provided as from the
1st June, 1950. A charge continues to be payable in respect of business premises. (Page 11)
Much useful work in the care of old people was again carried out by the Department, while the
local Old People's Welfare Association also reported a year of great activity in various directions
with new services planned for 1951. (Page 7)
My grateful thanks are due to the Chairman (Councillor Captain Robert Whitney, M.B.E., J.P.)
and members of the Public Health Committee for the consideration and encouragement they gave
me throughout the year. To the staff my obligations are too numerous to mention individually,
but to all members I acknowledge my great indebtedness for their continued loyalty and support
in the public health work of the Borough.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, my Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
H. A. BULMAN,
Medical Officer of Health.