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Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
Public Health Offices,
8-14, Laburnum Street, E.2.
August, 1935.
To the MAYOR, ALDERMEN and COUNCILLORS
of the Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch.
Sir, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present my Annual Report for the year 1934—the first year during
which I have held office under your Authority. My predecessor, Ur. Maitland
Radford, relinquished his duties at the end of June, and I took up my position at the
beginning of October. It should be mentioned, therefore, that although I am responsible
for the presentation of this report, much of the work described was carried
out under the supervision of Dr. Radford and Dr. Evelyn McGregor, the Assistant
Medical Officer of Health, who acted in the three months' interval after the departure
of Dr. Radford.
The year 1934 was marked by another low birth rate. This, although only
slightly above the lowest which has ever been recorded, was nevertheless higher than
in London as a whole. The death rate was considerably above that for England and
Wales and for London as a whole. The rate for the deaths of infants under one year,
although in excess of that for England and Wales, was fairly satisfactory considering
the social conditions of the district.
Scarlet fever continued to be of the mild type which has been prevalent in this
country during a number of years. Diphtheria, on the other hand, is becoming more
and more a grave disease of childhood. The death rate for this Borough for 1934
was slightly above the rates for England and Wales and for London, and there are
definite indications that much can still be done in the prevention of this disease by
immunization.
There was a slight decrease in the notified cases of tuberculosis. The case rate
for all forms of tuberculosis for 1934 was only slightly above the rate for 1932, which
was the lowest recorded. The death rate continues to be markedly lower than it was
even as recently as ten years ago. During the year further arrangements were made
by the London County Council to improve the comfort of those Shoreditch patients
who avail themselves of the facilities for institutional treatment which are provided
by the London County Council.
The low maternal mortality rate for the year is very gratifying, but it cannot be
anticipated that this will continue at this extremely low level. The next few years
will certainly see chance fluctuations, some of which will be in an upward direction.
During the latter part of the year under review the housing question in Shoreditch
was reconsidered, and steps were adumbrated which are likely to lead to an improvement
in the domestic conditions of many of the occupants of houses in the Borough.
At the end of the year I proffer my thanks to those who have assisted me in the
work of the department, especially to Dr. Evelyn McGregor, Assistant Medical Officer
of Health, Dr. C. K. Cullen, Tuberculosis Officer, Mr. Wilsher, the Chief Clerk, and
to Mr. Wright, Senior Sanitary Inspector. To the Chairman and Members of the
Health and Maternity and Child Welfare Committees I desire to express my appreciation
of their courtesy and assistance.
I am, Sir, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
E. ASHWORTH UNDERWOOD,
Medical Officer of Health.