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5
BOROUGH OF BROMLEY.
Report of the Medical Officer of Health
for the year 1939.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough
of Bromley.
Madam Mayor, Madam and Gentlemen,
The Report for the year 19.39 is drawn up in accordance
with the Minister of Health's circular 1961 of 16th
February, 1940, and circular 2067 of 19th July, 1940.
The Minister is satisfied that an entire discontinuance of
annual reports during the war period would not be in the
interests of local government, but has directed that
matter, which usually appears, may be omitted and the
Report limited to a record of essential statistics required
by the Ministry and to important alterations, improvements
or developments during the year. The usual
detailed tables of statistics have been completed and will
be retained in the records of the Department for future
reference.
From past experience, the general standard of health
is likely to be affected by the present world wide conflict.
Migrations of populations from war zones, and
"internal" evacuations will give rise to change affecting
"herd immunity." We should anticipate the
creation of conditions favourable to the spread of infectious
disease, especially in those areas which have
hitherto perhaps enjoyed prolonged immunity to certain
diseases. Standards of living we know will be altered,
the community will be called upon to live hard, but a
period of' spartan living should not, however, be without
its benefits.
The National Milk Scheme for the supply of cheap
and free milk to expectant and nursing mothers and