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1
Public Offices,
ENFIELD.
17th April, 1938.
Annual Report of the Medical
Officer of Health, 1937.
To the Chairman and Members of the Urban District Council of Enfield.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
I beg to place before you my 11th Annual Report on the health
of the District.
During the course of the year the work of the Department has
been considerably increased by the passing of the Midwives
Act, whilst the new Public Health and Housing Acts of 1936 have
meant alteration in procedure.
In addition to this, the Department has been concerned in the
study of Air Raid Precautions and the preparation of schemes in
connection therewith.
Overcrowding has decreased during the year, and in general
the health of the District has been well maintained.
A mild type of Dysentery due to the Sonne Bacilli broke out
during the months of November and December, and in all there were
notified 113 cases. This disease was of a mild nature and in most
cases resulted in no more than a few days of illness.
The factor which calls for the greatest consideration is the general
development of the District and the number of houses that are being
built.
During 1937 over 2,000 houses were erected in Enfield, and the
number of houses in the district has increased from 13,469 in 1927
to 24,310 in 1937.
That this matter is causing concern is evidenced by such frequently
heard remarks as "What is beccming of Enfield ?", " What will be
he effcct of all this building on the rates ?" These remarks do not
call for comment from me, but there are others which might well