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1
Health Report for 1939.
Gentlemen,
I beg' to present my Annual Report for the year 1939, this
being the sixth one presented by me as your Medical Officer of
Health, but the seventeenth one in respect of the District concerned.
In accordance with the request of the Ministry of Health
this Report lias been reduced as far as possible, and only contains
such information as it is essential to record.
The population of the District for mid-year 1939, as estimated
by the Registrar-General was 49,570, as compared with
46,320 last year.
The Birth Rate for the year remained very steady, being
19.4 per thousand of population, as against 19.3 last year.
The Death Rate showed a slight increase, this being 9.0 per
thousand of population, as compared with 8.3 last year.
An increase in the Infantile Mortality Rate also occurred,
this being 43 per thousand births, as compared with 28 last
\ ear. This Rate is liable to fluctuation from year to year owing*
• • P
to the small numbers involved.
From the point of vie v of incidence of Infectious Disease
the year 1939 was a very satisfactory one, the number of cases
notified being 189 as against 458 last year. This is chiefly due
to a large decrease in the number of cases of Measles notified,
but there was also a drop in the number of cases of Scarlet Fever
and Diphtheria notified.
In presenting this Report I would like to express my thanks
for the help and assistance I have received from the members
of the Council and its Officers. In particular I would like to
express my appreciation of the loyal and efficient services
rendered by all members of the Public Health Department.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
P. N. CAVE,
Medical Officer of Health,