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iv
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Upper Street, N.l.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the Annual Report on the Health and Sanitary
Condition of the Borough for the year 1934.
The death.rate (11.85) is 0.55 below that in the previous year (12.40). (In
1923 the rate was 11.60 and in 1863 a similar figure, 11.60 was recorded.)
The infantile mortality rate was 62, as against 63 in the previous year. (In
the year 1927 an infantile mortality rate of 53 was recorded.)
Smallpox cases of the mild (Variola Minor) type were prevalent during the
first half of the year, 69 cases being confirmed of the 70 notified.
Under the Housing Act 1930 the Borough Council upon the representation of the
Medical Officer of Health initiated its first Municipal Slum Clearance and Re.Housing
Scheme—the Church Lane Clearance Area. (Georges Road and Brand Street Areas,
which were represented by the Borough Medical Officer of Health in August 1923
under the Housing Acts of 1890.1923, were undertaken by the London County
Council.)
Among other work initiated during the year was the commencement of a survey
of underground rooms illegally occupied for sleeping purposes, which necessitated the
employment of four Temporary Sanitary Inspectors.
A summary of the Minister of Health's observations on the Survey of the
of the Health Services of the Borough by his officials, is given.
A highly esteemed old servant of the Council, Mr. John Metcalf, Sanitary
Inspector under the late Vestry and the Borough Council for 39 years, who was
superannuated in 1931, passed away during the year.
To the Chairmen of the Committees, Public Health, Maternity and Child Welfare,
and Housing, both old and new, and to the members of both Councils, my thanks are
due for the sustained interest they took in the work of my department during the
year, and to the Superintendent and members of my staff generally for their assistance
unstintedly given during an extremely busy year.
I am,
Your obedient servant,
Medical Officer of Health.