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4
COUNTY BOROUGH OF CROYDON.
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
For the Year 1955
To the Chairman and Members of the Health Committee
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the health
of the people of Croydon and the relevant services of the Corporation
for the year ending 31st December, 1955. Some comments
seem appropriate on a few aspects.
Statistics
I
The/birth rate was the lowest since the inter-war years and
a fraction only above the lowest rate yet recorded in the Borough.
Deaths were above the average due mainly to the widespread
occurrence of a mild form of respiratory infection of the influenzal
type during the first quarter of the year.
As usually occurs during such outbreaks there was a simultaneous
increase in deaths ascribed to respiratory illnesses and
other chronic diseases. In the latter group it seems very likely
that there were many deaths which were in fact precipitated by
the prevailing infection. Similarly, in very young babies the
organisms which produce feverish "colds" in adults, can bring
sudden death. Cases of this type were reported by the Coroner's
pathologist.
Cancer of the lungs gave the highest number of deaths yet
reported. In Croydon during the last 10 years the number of
females dying from this condition has not altered to any marked
degree, but male deaths have risen steadily so that they are now
some times more numerous. There is a latent period before
cancer producing substances (carcinogens) stimulate new growths;
so that changes in habits or surroundings to which this increase
is due must have commenced in the 1920-30 period. Smoking of
cigarettes is thought to have become widespread amongst men