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5
Public Health Department,
Council Offices,
Billet Lane,
HORNCHURCH.
20th May, 1954.
To the Chairman and Members of the
Hornchurch Urban District Council.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present to you the Annual Report on the health of the
district during 1953.
Vital Statistics.
The Birth Rate at 14.83 shows a rise as against recent years, but
the Death Rate 13.18 also indicates a distinct rise. The Infant Mortality
figure of 30.17 is fractionally better than in 1952.
As compared with the national average our Birth Rate is slightly
lower; our Death and Infant Mortality Rates are higher. Compared
with the average for the 160 Great Towns (of which Hornchurch is
one) the Birth Rate is lower, the Death Rate higher, but our Infant
Mortality Rate is slightly lower. The Birth Rate thus shows a satisfactory
trend, the Death Rate an unsatisfactory one and judgment
on the Infant Mortality Rate might well be reserved.
It seems that the inclusion of a special type of institutional death
in our local figures (a feature now included for the first time) has gone
far to produce the increased mortality rate. Our area comparability
factor does not, it is understood, take cognizance of these deaths
which are now deemed as occurring in Hornchurch residents although
the actual residence in the district may be slight and a permanent
tie with an outside area clear. This point might well receive further
review in official circles if the area comparability factor is to continue
to produce the desired comparative effect.
Infectious Disease.
Our Poliomyelitis figures as against 1952 increased to 9 and became
predominantly paralytic in composition. One hopes that the trend
will again revert to a non-paralytic or abortive type. The results of
treatment were, however, generally good.
Scarlet Fever remains much as in 1952. Its effective control is
practically impossible since the condition is so commonly regarded
as trivial. We do nevertheless pay considerable attention to dealing
with particular types of contacts and I think that this undoubtedly
limits, if it cannot control, the spread.
I do not consider it in the public interest that the notification
of any infectious disease should be treated purely academically and
when the position is reached such as now obtains with Scarlet Fever
the question of any longer retaining it as notifiable clearly calls for
consideration.
I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. E. James of Rush
Green Hospital, for his help and ready co-operation throughout the
year.