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BOROUGH OF WILLESDEN
Health Department,
54 Winchester Avenue,
Kilburn, N.W.6.
July, 1963.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Borough of Willesden.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The end of 1962 marked the onset of the grave illness which terminated with the death, early in
January, of Dr. Leff, who had been Medical Officer of Health of the borough since 1947. He was a man of
remarkable ability and vision, with a drive and enthusiasm which gave Willesden a high reputation throughout
the country in the field of public health. He was a prolific writer and his books and articles were read throughout
the world. His passing was a great loss to the borough.
It falls to me, therefore, to submit the annual report of the health and sanitary circumstances of the
borough for 1962, which has been a year of consolidation and expansion, of improvement of the services and
the environment, of the spread of knowledge of hygiene and positive health among the general population.
During the first five months there was an outbreak of smallpox in England and Wales which resulted
in sixty-two cases. The department was kept busy visiting and following up suspected cases and contacts,
but fortunately the disease did not occur in the borough. The Ministry of Health policy of discouraging mass
vaccination was followed, and statements to the press and talks on the subject in factories did much to allay
public anxiety.
The incidence of measles dropped considerably from the record figure of 1961, which was in accordance
with the biennial pattern of the disease. Dysentery increased, as in other parts of the country, in spite
of the work done in raising hygiene standards.
A considerable amount of work was done in promoting clean food. Most proprietors of food
premises remedy contraventions of the Food Hygiene Regulations as soon as their attention is drawn to
them, but five who would not co-operate and one who obstructed a public health inspector were prosecuted.
The No. 4 (Harlesden) Smoke Control Order came into operation in October, continuing the Council's
phased programme of clearing the atmosphere of smoke pollution. Doubts have been raised about the effectiveness
of this approach in removing the causes of bronchitis from the air, and it is encouraging to note
that the results of a survey carried out in London during a smog episode strongly suggest that the reduction
of the solid matter had a beneficial effect, even though the sulphur dioxide content was little changed.
It is disturbing to note a further increase in the number of deaths from cancer of the lung and
bronchus. The Report of the Royal College of Physicians on this subject, and vigorous propaganda with small
financial backing, has obviously made little headway against the eleven million pounds spent by the tobacco
industry on propaganda, combined with the apathy of smokers.
The Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee has further extended its services for the aged, and
is doing invaluable work towards achieving the goal in which old age is a time of fulfilment and not of despair.
Malnutrition is a common problem in the aged, and it is pleasing to note the increase in the number of meals
served in luncheon clubs and by the Meals on Wheels Service. This is a problem which has caused some
anxiety to those in charge of the old people's clinic at Neasden Clinic, and though many patients have been
referred to these services, there is a proportion who are unwilling to take advantage of them. There is a need
for a change in the Regulations so that welfare foods and vitamin supplements are available to them on the
same terms as to mothers and young children. The clinic itself continues its useful functions of discovering
the problems and disabilities of the aged, which they so often tend to keep to themselves, and arranging help
so that they can continue to lead independent lives.