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ANNUAL REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR THE YEAR 1942.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Acton, W3.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Borough of Acton.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit the annual report on the health of the Borough
(or the year 1942. The annual report of the School Medical Service
is given at the end as a separate report.
There have been changes in the staff of the Public Health
Department. Mr. Pratt, the Chief Clerk volunteered for war service
and was granted a commission in the R.A.F. on the administrative
staff. Miss Hester joined the Women's Land Army and is now
engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Owing to the increase in the number of patients availing themselves
of the ante-natal clinic, the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee authorised the appointment of an extra Health Visitor
to assist chiefly with the duties in connection with this clinic.
In December 1942, a circular from the Ministry of Health
recommended Local Authorities to introduce a Home Help scheme.
As this scheme is being formulated, further details will be given in
the Annual Report for 1943.
It is of interest to note that the birth rate for 1942 was 16.7 as
compared with 12.5 in 1941. The infantile mortality rate for 1942
was 71.2 per 1,000 live births, a regrettably high rate as compared
with 47.8 per 1,000 live births in 1941. This higher rate is due to the
fact that there were 22 deaths in children of under one year as
compared with 3 in 1941. Unfortunately, on investigation no
evidence came to light as to the cause. Amongst the enquiries
carried out were the sanitary arrangements of the houses, but the
conditions were found to be satisfactory.