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P.l.
Public Health Department,
Queen Mary College,
Mile End Road,
London, E.l.
To The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of
the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney.
Your Worship, Ladies & Gentlemen,
I have pleasure in submitting herewith ray annual report
for the year 1943, which, in accordance with the suggestions of
the Ministry of Health, is an abridged report.
Certain statistics relating to population are omitted for
security reasons and the Registrar General's estimate of the
population of the Borough is therefore not recorded.
Because of war conditions no accurate comparisons can
be made with the statistics of former years.
The birth rate rose from 17.6 in 1942 to 18.8.
The death rate was slightly higher than last year.
The infantile mortality rate per 1000 live births was
53.2 compared with 52.0 last year. The maternal mortality
rate decreased from 3.74 to 2.1 per thousand live and still
births.
One woman in the Borough died of senile myocarditis at
the age of 100 years.
Compared with last year there were 780 more rases of
infectious disease notified, mainly Measles and Scarlet Fever.
Notifications of Measles increased from 250 in 1942 to 918
this year. Scarlet Fever from 130 to 194, Pneumonia from 93
to 124, whilst Whooping Cough decreased from 158 to 142,
Diphtheria from 47 to 45, Puerperal Fever and Pyrexia from 12
to 5. There was no Smallpox. There was one case of Anthrax
(see page 5).
265 oases of Tuberculosis were notified during the year.
One woman died from Actino-Mycosis.
All health services were maintained throughout the year
at almost peace-time standards. The number of children
immunised against diphtheria decreased from 2964 to 2073
Scabies treatment was given to 2373 persons.
The three war-time day nurseries maintained record
attendances throughout-the year.
Three basement bakehouses were removed from the register,
having been out of action for over 12 months, leaving only 23
of the original 69 certificated in 1904.
In addition to their normal duties several member of the
Staff, including Sanitary Inspectors, continued to undertake
Civil Defence duties at the Report and Control Centre after
hours and at week-ends. Other duties include food salvage,
food decontamination, gas identification officers and emergency
mortuary supervision and inspection of shelters and rest and
feeding centres.
i should like to record my appreciation of the work of
the staff of the Department and to the Chairmen of Committees
who have given me their support and encouragement I offer my
grateful thanks.
i am,
Your Worship, Ladies & Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
F.R. 0'SHIEL.
Medical Officer of Health