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TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS
OF THE BOROUGH OF FINCHLEY
August, 1952.
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year
1951.
The vital statistics show that the birth rate continues to fall
and the death rate to rise with the result that the natural increase
in the population—i.e. the excess of live births over deaths—
continues to diminish. In 1951 it was only 38.
The increase in deaths was mainly due to such causes as
cardio-vascular disease, Influenza, Bronchitis and violence.
The infantile mortality rate has increased from 16.6 to 24, but
the stillbirth rate has decreased to a greater extern.
No mother died as the result of childbirth.
The position regarding infectious diseases was satisfactory.
The 1950 epidemics of Measles and Whooping Cough continued
well into 1951 but both diseases remained mild in character.
For the fifth successive year there was no case of Diphtheria
in the Borough. There was only one death from infectious disease,
that of an adult who died from Poliomyelitis.
There was a, slight increase in the number of new cases of and
deaths from Tuberculosis.
There were no cases of Food Poisoning.
A detailed account is given of the work of the Sanitary
Inspectors in connection with housing, environmental hygiene, food
and water, factories, rodent control etc.
Once again I express my gratitude to all members of the staff
for their customary loyalty and conscientiousness throughout the
year.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
A. A. TURNER,
Medical Officer of Health.
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