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disease has reached a very high state of development, and I doubt
whether further refinement of these services could do much to advance
the prevention of disease and illness. Obviously these services must be
retained and improved wherever improvement is possible: but they do
not go far enough. The principle of prevention must be extended to the
ordinary illnesses which are not notifiable, and to begin with, to those
illnesses whose incidence appears to be rising: illnesses such as peptic
ulcer, coronary disease and the host of conditions which march under
the banner of Rheumatism. This is the task of Social Medicine, which
requires the co-operation of clinicians, laboratory workers and social
workers.
I am glad to have had the opportunity of working in the Public
Health Service during a period which has witnessed very marked
reductions in maternal and infant mortality and the practical
elimination of Diphtheria: during which there has been an appreciable
increase in the expectation of life. But length of life is not in itself of
such great importance : what matters is not mortality but morbidity.
I should like to express my thanks to the members of the Council
and the Public Health Committee for their courtesy and assistance, and
to the staff of the Department for their loyal and efficient service.
T. PHILIPS COLE,
Medical Officer of Health.
SUMMARY OF VITAL STATISTICS, 1949.
Area of District in acres 5,935
Civilian Population as estimated by Registrar-General at 30th
June, 1949 75,630
Civilian Population per acre 12.7
Rateable Value at 1/10/49 £862,320
Births Registered: male female
Legitimate 555 514
Illegitimate 18 13 Total 1,100
Birth Rate per 1,000 of Civilian Population 14.54
Deaths Registered: male female
380 418 Total 798
Death Rate per 1,000 population 10.55
Infant Mortality Rate per 1,000 births 26.36
Maternal Mortality Rate per 1,000 births 0.91
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