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8
serious cause of respiratory illness. Efforts are also being made to
eradicate what might be described as the last great hygienic
anachronism of the mid-twentieth century, namely the number of
households—well over 1,000 even in a progressive area such as
this—which still lack the amenity of a proper fixed bath. It is
hoped that many property owners will, for their own or their
tenants benefit, consider taking advantage of the improvement
grants which would, in many instances, assist them to add this
amenity to their premises.
It is also appropriate at this time to look toward the future
and survey some of the questions which will challenge the attention
of the new Borough authority, bearing in mind the wider responsibilities
of this body which in the field of Health will include not
only the existing environmental work, but also those personal and
domiciliary health services at present provided in the area by the
Kent County Council, such as health visiting, home nursing and
midwifery, and domestic help, but excepting the ambulance service
which will be operated by the Greater London Council. The
Council's task will be to maintain, and build on the foundations of,
the present services.
Those whose main interests lie in the environmental services,
should not fear that these will be completely overshadowed by the
newly acquired functions. Recent experience has shown again that
the prevention and control of epidemic disease remains at least as
important as any other function of the health department, and has
also demonstrated that this can only rest on a basis of sound
community hygiene. In the tightly-knit urban community of today,
the consequences of a single breakdown of this hygienic
barrier against disease can be incalculable.
Turning to the personal services, it has recently been said that
the real problems of to-day lie in the care of the mentally ill and
of the elderly, and to this one might add, the task facing the health
educator in his efforts to foster healthy habits of living in a somewhat
self-indulgent society.
The welfare of elderly people is one of many fields where
statutory and voluntary bodies can work in co-operation to render
a more effective service. Mention must be made of the high
quality of local voluntary work, which has many distinguished and
pioneering achievements to its credit, including the successful
boarding-out scheme for the elderly.
Turning to the statistical side of the report, the birthrate
followed the national upward trend, though at a respectful
distance. It was however, the highest rate recorded in the district
since 1948. The infant mortality rate also followed the national