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6
Originally these reports were intended to ensure that backward
Councils were not able to suppress proofs of their deficiences.
I think most Medical Officers of Health now find this
annual exercise a painful reminder of fleeting time, too short
for the completion of many projects which Members have authorised.
By requiring surveys from the heads of various sections of
the department, which are credited by name, the yearly stocktaking
can be made to stimulate all staff. What was intended as
a check on elected members, has become instead, an instrument to
speed the administrative machine.
Statistics
The Registrar General estimates an increase of 1,220 on the
population shown by the census of 1961. The Birth rate continued
to rise. One explanation of this trend was the tendency to
marriage at earlier ages. The increase would thus be a passing
phase. It is of interest that the Croydon Superintendent
Registrar reports a slight fall in the percentage of those
giving notice of intention to marry, who were under 21 years of
age. The comment that the contemporary status symbol is not the
second motor car but the larger family, may touch upon the truth.
Unfortunately there is a disquieting aspect of the figures. The
number of illegitimate births rose by nearly 20% in comparison
with 1961, and made up 23% of the total increase in births for
the year. The infant mortality rate, especially for these illegitimate
babies, was higher, as was the general death rate, but
there was not a single death of a woman in childbirth.
Lung cancer deaths were more numerous than in any previous
year.
Communicable Diseases
Deaths from Pulmonary Tuberculosis fell to a record low number
of 12. When one reflects that this disease was "Captain of
the Men of Death" for the age groups 15 to 45 years, it is a remarkable
transformation. No case of Poliomyelitis was notifiedCases
of syphilis in Croydon residents attending for treatment
at special clinics rose slightly, but numbers for other venereal
diseases were smaller. Rubella (German Measles) was unusually
prevalent, and caused concern when expectant mothers were involved.
The surveillance of contacts of Smallpox made demands
upon the staff during the early months of the year.