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Deaths.
The number is above the average, producing a rather
high death rate, for this district. As usual heart disease
and cancer cancer were the principal causes of death, the former
amongst the older age groups.
Births.
The full number of births amongst residents has not
been received from the Registrar General, but judging from
the number registered as taking place within the district,
There has been one maternal death from puerperal sepsis,
and only 15 deaths in infants under one year of age.
Sanitary Administration.
Your Sanitary Inspector has had to continue the general
sanitary administration, with clerical assistance only.
Routine inspections under the Housing Act have been impossible,
owing to depletion of staff, and repairs to dwellings beyond
those absolutely essential for the abatement of nuisances,
difficult to carry out, owing to scarcity of proper building
materials .and skilled labour.
T:inspection of food premises and examinations of foodstuffs
has taken considerable time, and required careful judgement,
for the proper use of every available foodstuff.
One has to regret the gradual deterioration taking place
in the structural condition of the older dwelling houses in the
district, especially where they have been subjected to bomb
blast. War damage repairs, even where they have been carried,out
at considerable expense, have not been sufficient to make
these old houses comfortable in wintry weather, and it is
doubtful whether these houses will ever again be in all
respects fit for human habitation. In a considerable
number of instances it is only the shortage of housing
accomodation that is the cause of these houses having occupiers.
Where houses become un-occupied they rapidly become unfit for
human habitation due to the destruction of windows, doors and
roofs, by the elder school children and adolescents, who
apparently get a thrill by smashing up anything breakable.
I am, your obedient servant,
G. Pennant Evans.
Medical Officer of Health.