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TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF
THE LEYTON URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit the Annual Report for 1914 on the Public
Health and Vital Statistics of the District.
Dr. Taylor filled his accustomed position of Medical Officer
of Health until the outbreak. of war on August 4th, and it is only
from that date that I have had charge of the work in the Public
Health Department. For the sake of completeness this Report
refers to the whole of the year 1914.
As is shown in the body of the Report, the healthiness of the
District and the sanitation in general have been maintained. The
Death Rate remains almost the same as that of last year; the
Birth Rate continues to decline.
The absence of provision for the Hospital treatment of
Smallpox is a matter of grave concern; the susceptibility of the
public to this disease is increasing from year to year in parallel
with the exemptions from infantile vaccination, and the danger of
an outbreak of the disease is correspondingly greater. Such an
epidemic would be difficult to combat, and could not fail to take
its toll in loss of life.
I wish to express my indebtedness to all the members of the
Council, and in especial to the Chairmen of the Public Health and
Education Committees, for the courtesy and consideration they
have extended to me. My best thanks are also due to my fellow
officials for much kindness on all occasions.
I am,
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ALFRED BALL.