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The infant mortality rate is slightly up on that of the previous year
while the still birth rate is down. The individual causes of death in each
of the 21 infants who died under 1 year of age is set out in the body of
the report, and it will be seen that there is a relation with those
conditions which cause still birth. In fact, most of these conditions
are things about which we know very little, and until we do, great
progress cannot be expected in reducing further either the still birth
rate or the infant mortality rate. These conditions offer a continuing
challenge to modern child care, and are in fact the objects of very
intensive study, not only in this country but throughout the world.
The need for preventing accidents in the home is becoming more widely
appreciated. Both the very young and the very old are especially
vulnerable, and the risks of burning, scalding and falling are well
known - as are the simple methods of prevention. The increased use of
plastic bibs and bags has introduced new hazards for infants and young
children - plastic bibs can suffocate and plastic bags pulled over the
head in play can also kill. Parents (and manufacturers) should always be
on their guard against these dangers.
The routine work of the department went on steadily throughout the
year, and much credit is due to Mr. E. H. Jenkins and his colleagues
(including the clerical staff) for the persevering way in which they
carried out their everyday tasks, I am extremely grateful to them.
Public Health work is not spectacular - it is only news when something
goes wrong - the better the work is done the less there is heard about it.
The details of the work of the Public Health Inspectorate is set out in
the body of the report, and this, in itself, will demonstrate the scope
and variety of the tasks carried out.
Finally, may I say how much the support of the Chairman and Members
of the Public Health Committee has been valued by this Department, and
how greatly it has helped in making the work so much easier.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
0. C. Dobson,
Medical Officer of Health,
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