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Infectious Sickness Rate.
The Infectious Sickness Rate for 1939 (2.17) is
the lowest ever recorded for Southgate.
The case rates for scarlet fever, diphtheria and
tuberculosis all show a marked decrease. It is
significant that this decrease continued throughout
the year, and did not seem affected in any way by the
onset of hostilities.
Maternity & Child Welfare.
It is particularly pleasing that the work of the
Maternity & Child 'welfare Department was kept up,
notwithstanding the difficulties met with during the
latter part of the year. A complete re-organisation
of the Centres was, of course, necessary; but in spite
of this the attendance figures remained extremely
satisfactory.
The work of the Pre-Natal Clinic was also maintained;
while, for the first time in Southgate, an ad
hoc Post-Natal Clinic was inaugurated.
Work of Sanitary Inspectors.
Every endeavour was made to keep housing
inspections at an adequate level. This was by no
means easy, as the time of two out of the three
Sanitary Inspectors was very much taken up with Civil
Defence matters. In addition, the enormous increase
in the number of carcases to be examined, threw an
additional burden on that branch of the Public Health
Department.
Broadly speaking, it has been our policy to
maintain the essential services of the Public Health
Department in full activity. We have had to adapt
our outlook and our procedure to changing conditions;
while the abnormal circumstances consequent upon the
declaration of war has necessitated a review of many
of our previous activities. 3