View report page

3
The magnitude of the problems of war and lack of
security may have increased the individual's sense of isolation
in the community, making marriage the shock-absorber and
children once again the main source of pleasure and interest.
One may hope that this will emphasize the importance of the
home and all it stands for in the social sense. In 1909 your
Medical Officer of Health estimates the population of the town
as 31,235 persons inhabiting 5,700 houses, and records the
fact that 17 new houses were built during that year. In 1945
with a population of 38,270 there are 11,205 houses—a decrease
of 100 houses on the previous year although new dwellings
have been completed during the twelve months under review.
Despite intense activities by the local authority the need for
new houses is already an urgent one, for a family without a
house is a family without a home.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the (vital) statistics
is the entire absence of maternal deaths during the year.
It may reasonably be claimed that this surprising absence of
maternal mortality reflects the well developed maternal health
service which you have always so heartily encouraged.
The number of cases of infectious disease is again low,
with only five notified cases of diphtheria to record and again
no deaths. 67 per cent, of school children and 81.4 per cent,
of children from the age of one to five years have now
completed the course of immunisation against this disease.
With the cessation of hostilities and the dispersal of the
Civil Defence Services the ambulance service has come within
the province of the Public Health Department, and two new
vehicles of the latest type and fitted with the most modern
items of equipment have been added to this valuable service.
In April, 1945, the School Health Service came under the
general control of the Kent County Council, and the records
of medical inspection and treatment are included in the report.
The staff have continued to give efficient and loyal service,
and it is to them that I am indebted for any success obtained,
" I have only made a nosegay of culled flowers and have
brought you nothing of my own, but the thread that ties them
together."
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
REGINALD LEADER,
Medical Officer of Health.
November, 1946.