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3
COUNTY BOROUGH OF CROYDON
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
and
SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
For the Year 1931.
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present herewith my fourth Annual
Report as Medical Officer of Health. The arrangement follows
that of last year's report, but a new section dealing with the
activities of the Obstetric unit, which commenced at the end of
1930, has been included. The contents of the report have been
compiled to accord with the requirements of Circular 1206 of the
Ministry of Health.
Yital Statistics.—The Census has shown that the population
has risen from 191,375 in 1921 to 233,115 ; an increase of 21.8%.
The statistics for the year are, in consequence of the more accurate
basic figure of population. nearer the truth than in 1930 when the
population was an estimated one; and with a period of nine years
since the previous census, the estimation was bound to be a little
wide of the true figure.
Nineteen thirty one did not maintain the high level of health
of the previous year. The general death rate rose 0.9 per 1,000,
and the Infantile Mortality 10 per 1,000 births. The Birth Rate
again dropped and reached the low rate of 14.9 per 1,000 population.
It is obvious that the large increase in population is mostly caused
by immigration.
Sanitary Circumstances.—Housing has occupied much attention.
In addition to the routine inspections of houses, and the