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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough
of Dagenham.
Madam Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In presenting my annual report for the year 1947, I would
mention that this report is again a summary as has been the practice
for several years past by direction of the Ministry of Health.
The population has risen from 106,530 to 110,040 and the principal
vital statistics are on the whole favourable, the birth rate having
risen from 22.34 to 23.71, the death rate, however, showed a slight
rise from 6.50 to 6.63, the still-birth rate fell from 25.79 to 19.17
and the infant mortality rate from 31.09 to 30.66. It is interesting
to note that the infant mortality rate for illegitimate children has
fallen from 49.59 to 27.27, this latter figure being lower than the
general infant mortality rate. It is the usual experience for the
illegitimate infant mortality rate to exceed, sometimes to a very
great extent, the rate for legitimate infants, the inference being that
such infants are deprived of much of the care which is experienced
by legitimate children.
INFECTIOUS
DISEASES.
A feature of the year has been the large
incidence of Measles, of which disease 936
cases were notified compared with 723 in
1946. There were also two deaths from Measles which, considering
the prevalence of the disease, may be regarded as not unduly high.
The epidemic of Poliomyelitis which was widespread throughout
the Country during the year accounted for nine cases in
Dagenham, of whom one died. There were two cases with no
deaths in 1946. When one considers the large child and adolescent
population of the Borough, it might be expected that the incidence
of this disease would have been considerably higher. Cases who
were suspected of suffering from Poliomyelitis were promptly
removed to hospital, in many instances before the diagnosis was
confirmed. Thanks to the facilities offered at the hospital, this was
made possible, and it would appear that the practice contributed to
the limitation of infections by the prompt isolation which was
thereby effected.
IMMUNISATION.
There has been a considerable increase in the
number of children, both of school and preschool
age, who have been immunised. The total number who
underwent this treatment in 1947 was 2,485, and in addition 204
received "boosting" doses ; in 1946 1,566 children were immunised
and 85 were given "boosting" doses. The practice of
issuing birthday cards with which is enclosed the relevant literature,
has been continued, and other methods of publicity such as showing