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3
COUNTY BOROUGH OF CROYDON.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
AND
SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
For the Year 1930.
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present herewith my third Annual
Report as Medical Officer of Health for Croydon. The arrangement
follows that of last year's report, with the difference that a
new section dealing with the Local Government Act, 1929, has
been incorporated. The contents have been compiled to accord
with the requirements of Circular 1119 of the Ministry of Health.
The year has been a busy one, and the work of the Department
shows an increase throughout. The coming into force of
the Local Government Act on April 1st added to the responsibilities
of the work whilst at the same time extending its scope.
The Housing Act, 1930, has also laid additional duties on the
Department. In connection with this Act a survey has been
carried out of the Old Town Area and a Representation made
concerning 107 houses comprising four Clearance Areas, and 110
houses which could be included in an Improvement Area.
Vital Statistics.— Although the Registrar-General's population
estimate is the same as for 1929, it is felt that this is an underestimate
when the steady growth in the number of inhabitants
over the past decennium is borne in mind. The Census, to be
taken in 1931, will probably show that past growth has been maintained.
Underestimation of population naturally affects vital
statistics.
The year under review has been a healthy one. The general
death-rate is the lowest but one recorded. Apart from a somewhat
heavy incidence of Measles there has been no undue prevalence
of epidemic diseases, and the Infantile Mortality has reached the
gratifying low level of 48 per 1,000. For a large town like
Croydon this is a satisfactory figure and will compare favourably
with any similar town in the British Isles. The birth-rate showed