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5
unrest, complaints and often family unhappiness. The building of
shops, halls, cinemas, churches, schools and welfare and other clinics
should proceed pari passu with the building of the houses.
The housing of London's population within your area is another
case of history repeating itself. In the years between 1800 and 1860
the population remained comparatively static. In the sixties a sudden
spread of London's population caused your population to be actually
doubled and it is of some interest to note too that the population even
in those days preceded the transport facilities. There is evidence also
that the movement out of London was based upon the desire for
better health, better housing and the desire to be away from the horrors
of the slums of the London of those days.
The staff of the Department has remained unchanged during the
year and there have been no changes in the functions of the
Department.
It is regrettable that an experienced Local Authority with a population
of 80,000 persons has no real executive part in the functions of
the National Health Service Act.
There have been no acute infectious disease epidemics during the
year. Diphtheria continues to be noted for its absence, scarlet fever
is mild in character, measles and whooping cough widely spread, but
there were no deaths nor were the infections accompanied by
complications.
I am again indebted to Mr. Allen and the staff for their loyal
co-operation throughout the year and for their help in the compilation
of this report.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
K. E. TAPPER,
Medical Officer of Health.