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deaths from puerperal sepsis, and it is very pleasing
to report that no maternal death has been recorded
in Friern Barnet within the past 13 years. The
infant mortality rate, i.e. the number of infants
who died during the first year of life per thousand
live births, was 43.6 as against 12.2 in 1958.
These matters will, however, be discussed in greater
detail in the part of the Report which deals with
statistics and social conditions of the Area.
Housing still plays a very important
part in the programme of Public Health. Indeed,
as has been so of ten said, there can be few aspects
of preventive medicine with which a Council such
as Friern Barnet is more intimately concerned.
We have already dealt with part of
our slum Clearance programme, and are still continuing
this work. The problem of houses in multiple
occupation is at present under review throughout the
country, as this presents quite a serious problem in
many parts. It is already clear, however, that
this is not a serious problem in Friern Barnet.
As the matter is still under careful investigation,
however, this would appear to be a matter which would
better be reported at a later date. The specific
problem of the provision of suitable accommodation
for the elderly is dealt with in the section of the
Report which deals with the care of the aged.
The position with regard to the setting
up of smoke control areas in Friern Barnet is proceeding
according to the plan submitted to the
Public Health Committee and to the Council and duly
agreed. This, of course, is a long term policy,
but I think it can be said that Friern Barnet has
not in any way neglected its obvious duties.
Food hygiene has once again received
considerable attention during the year. The
Chief Public Health Inspector and his staff of
Public Health Inspectors have carried out many
visits to food premises and have investigated all
complaints arriving at the Public Health Department.
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