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7
which made tlie usual quinquennial appearance in
epidemic form in the autumn, and at the time of writing
has not abated. Fortunately up to the present time, the
infection is of a mild kind and no seriotis complicated
cases have been recorded. Very few cases of scarlet
fever (49) and diphtheria (11) were notified. Cerebrospinal
fever (13) made an unwelcome appearance in
Bromley's statistics after an absence of several years.
Incidence in this disease has been common to the
country as a whole, being- the one disease showing an
increase since 1915.
A noteworthy feature of the statistics for 1940 is the
remarkably low figure of 17 deaths of infants under one
year of age, which gives the lowest Infantile Mortality
Rate of 22.6 per 1,000 births ever recorded in Bromley.
The work of the staff has been beyond praise, and
to Mr. Lawley, Chief Clerk, who has done so much in
preparation of this Report, I am especially indebted.
That the staff have continued to do their routine PublicHealth
duties as in pre-war days, and also given additional
service to Civil Defence is a fine tribute to theii
own good citizenship. A word of praise is due, also, to
the public of Bromley; they have responded magnificently
to the " Blitz " conditions. It is a stimulation
to all of us in Public Health Service to give of our best
and to help where help is needed.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
K. E. TAPPER,
Medical Officer of Healtli.
June, 1941.