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2
URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL OF ORPINGTON.
Health Report for 1938.
Gentlemen,
I beg to submit to you my Annual. Healtli Report for the
year 1938, this being the fifth one presented by me as your
Medical Officer of Health, but the sixteenth one in respect of
the area concerned.
The population of the District as estimated by the
Registrar-General for mid-year 1938 is 46,320, which is an
increase of 2,710 on the corresponding figure for mid-year 1937.
From the point of view of Public Health the year has been
a satisfactory one.
There was an increase in the Birth Rate, viz., 19.3 per
thousand of population, as compared with 18.0 last year. The
Birth Rates for England and Wales were 15.1 in 1938 and 14.9
in 1937.
The Death Rate showed a decrease as compared with the
last two years, viz., 8.3 in 1938, as against 8.6 in 1937 and 10.3
in 1936. The Death Rates for England and Wales were 11.6
in 1938 and 12.4 in 1937.
A very large decrease in the Infantile Mortality Rate took
place, the rate for 1938 being 28 per thousand registered births,
as compared with 52 last year and 64 in 1936. The Infantile
Mortality Rates for England and Wales were 53 for 1938, 58
for 1937 and 59 for 1936.
From the point of view of incidence of Infectious Disease
the year was a satisfactory one. Although the number of
notifications received were somewhat in excess of those
received during the previous year, the increase was almost
entirely due to the greater number of cases of Measles notified.
I again desire to place on record my thanks for the
assistance I have received from, the Council and its Officers.
In particular, I would especially desire to express my appreciation
of the services so loyally and efficiently rendered by
the staff of the Public Health Department.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
P. N. CAVE,
Medical Officer of Health,