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FRIERN BARNET URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
TOWN HALL,
N.ll.
16th. August. 1943.
To the Chairman and Members of the
Friern Barnet. Urban District Council".
Gentlemen,
This report covers the period from January 1st.
1942, to December 31st. 1942, inclusive, and will be much
abbreviated in accordance with Circular 2604, of the
24th. March 1942, and no figures will be given from which
the population of the district or its wards, can be inferred,
and no data supplied by the Registrar General will be included*
The general health of the district was maintained
at a high level, and the, incidence of the notifiable diseases
has been very satisfactory.
In common with other districts, the artificial
immunisation against Diphtheria was continued, and 525
immunisations performed, but the public demand slackened
towards the end of.the year. However, about 40% of the known
child population may be considered to have had this form of
protection* This proportion is probably an estimate on the
low side,as we have no means of knowing the number of
children immunised by private arrangement, or the number
immunised before coming to reside in this area*
I have to express my best thanks for the good work carried
out by the School Medical Officer, Dr. Stephen, in this
connection.
The death rate this year is rather higher than
usual, but it must be born in mind, that our young and virile
members of the population are away on war work, and it is
only the very young and past middle age, which make up the
greater part of the death list.
The infantile mortality rate, is the best yet recorded for this
district, and reflects the high standard of motherhood necessary
for such results. It is also a very striking illustration of
the effectiveness of that part of the Food Office organisation
which provided the accessory food factors in the form of oil,
fruit juices and purees.
The birth rate shows a slight upward tendency which is all to
the good, for the average age of our population over the past
decade has risen, due to the diminished number of births
and longevity
The housing situation is still acute, greater
difficulties arose in getting repairs carried out promptly
and efficiently than ever before, and is not likely to
diminish until war's demands are satisfied.
Scabies has been very prevalent. The Clinic,
staffed by the members of the local Red Cross, has done
excellent work, and by the end of the year had treated 140
cases to a successful conclusion. A large proportion of