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death rate increased, had it not been for 50 Deaths among
residents due to enemy action the increase would only have been
slight and probably accounted for by the ageing population.
Against a background of 5 years of war, culminating in a period
of social upheaval, these facts give ground for much satisfaction.
On the other hand, proportionately almost twice as
many new cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were notified, as
compared with 1939. While this increase is probably partly due
to better means of detection and partly to fluctuations in the
rate which inevitably occur, particularly when dealing with small
numbers of people, the increase in this disease which has been
noted throughout the country emphasises that we have not been able
to avoid all the deleterious effects of war. Obviously housing,
the dietary and working conditions, including hours of work, of
the average adult have deteriorated and will need early
attention now that the war is over.
When one considers the factors which have minimised
deterioration in the public health during the period of the war
one remembers the Diphtheria Immunisation campaign, the use of
the sulphonamides and later penicillin and in the Forces, the
use of D.D.T. These have all been outstanding successes in
their own spheres and presage well for the future.
Is it not. however, probably correct to assume that the
degree of success achieved in the maintenance of health was very
largely attributable to a wise use of the national food
resources, to an absence of acute poverty and to some extent to
a simplification of life? One might also ask whether it is
not within the power of man to retain and even develop further
these beneficial environmental factors in time of peace?
While giving credit to these major influences it is
undoubtedly true that this satisfactory report on the health of
the District in 1941 was also due in part to local effort, and
here I would pay tribute to the loyalty ami. perseverence, not
only of my colleagues in the Public Health Services, but to my
friends in the wider health service, the Doctors, Nurses and
Midwives of the District, the Civil Defence personnel and many
other voluntary helpers. Above all may I humbly record my
admiration of the cheerful doggedness of the average resident
and the splendid spirit of neighbourly helpfulness which saw us
through those darker days and made our record one of which we
need not be ashamed. May this spirit of cheerful and
indefatigable service also persist and flourish, making our
District a still more desirable locality.
I hope I may, in conclusion, again thank all my
colleagues and staff for the help they gave during the year.
Particularly would I thank the Senior Health Visitor, the Senior
Sanitary Inspector and my Chief Clerk, not only for their
assistance in preparing this report but for their unfailing and
cheerful co-operation which, especially in the darker days of
1944, was an inspiration and constant source of encouragement.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
F.R.Edbrooke.
Medical Officer of Health.