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practice to-day, but it follows that where large numbers are
partaking of a meal there is greater danger of spread of infection
should that meal be contaminated.
The vital statistics for the year show that the district continues
to increase in population, and is likely to do so for many
years to come. The development of a large housing estate in
St. Paul's Cray will bring with it certain Public Health problems
associated with a large influx of people into an already established
community. The birth rate shows a fall, which is common
over the rest of the country. This is the usual fall following a
high birth rate subsequent to war. The death rate shows a slight
decrease, being 8.4 per 1,000 population, as compared with 8.6 per
1,000 population in the previous year. The Infantile Mortality
rate is low, and is the lowest on record. The Infectious Diseases
showed nothing of note, the rate of notifiable infectious diseases
being 15 per 1,000 population. By far the greatest numbers were
those of Measles and Whooping Cough.
Mr. Capon, your Chief Sanitary Inspector for so many years,
retired in August, and was succeeded by Mr. Crowe, on whom
so much of the responsibility for the efficient day-to-day working
of the Department now depends, and to whose enthusiasm and
co-operation I should like to pay all due tribute.
I have, for convenience, sub-divided the report into various
sections:
Section A. Social Conditions of the Area, including Vital
Statistics.
„ B. Summary of Health Services.
„ C. Sanitary and Environmental Circumstances.
„ D. Housing.
E. Food Protection.
„ F. Infectious Diseases.
„ G. Other Services of the Health Department.
If I may be allowed to add a personal note, I should like to
record my appreciation of the help I received from Dr. Cave on
taking over his duties, and from the Clerk, officers and Committee,
and to say how much I have been impressed with the
efficiency which is general throughout.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
K. E. TAPPER,
Medical Officer of Health.