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There was one confirmed case of diphtheria in a child of 5½ years.
Three confirmed cases of poliomyelitis were notified, compared with
44 in 1955. Warm dry summers, such as we experienced last year, appear
to increase the incidence of this disease.
The total number of cancer deaths, viz. 234, was lower this year,
but deaths from lung cancer increased by one to 70.
Deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis numbered 17, the same as last year,
and notifications of new cases decreased from 149 to 116.
No cases of smallpox occurred in the Borough. No deaths occurred
from scarlet fever, measles, whooping-cough, diphtheria, poliomyelitis,
or non-pulmonary tuberculosis.
Food poisoning notifications increased slightly from 18 to 22.
Some important legislation was passed during the year including the
Clean Air Act, 1956, parts of which came into operation on 31st December
and which is designed in the course of time to clear our skies of smoke.
The new Food and Drugs Act came into operation on 1st January and the
Food Hygiene Regulations on 1st January and 1st July. Our Sanitary
Inspectors changed their historic name this year by Act of Parliament to
"Public Health Inspectors" following the example of the Royal Sanitary
Institute which is now known as the Royal Society of Health. The shortage
of public health inspectors continues, and there are still four vacancies
to complete the reduced establishment,
One of the Hospitals in the Borough closed in 1956, the St.George-inthe-East
Hospital, Wapping. In 1938 the hospital had 410 beds which at
that time included several for maternity. Prior to its closure the nominal
number of beds was 208. Wapping, in which the Hospital was situated, is
an island formed by the Docks and delays of twenty minutes not infrequently
occur when the swing bridges are closed. The presence of a hospital on
the island provided a service for out-patients and in-patients which was
convenient for the residents. There was'much local disappointment when
the hospital closed but representations made by the Council and other
interested parties to the Minister of Health failed to prevent it. The
tendency appears to be to centralise services more and more and there are
rumours afloat of yet another local hospital closing.
In presenting my report I desire to express my thanks to the Chairman
and Members of the Public Health Committee for their support, and my
appreciation of the work of the Staff of the Public Health Department,
particularly those who assisted me in compiling this report.
I have the honour to be, Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
May, 1957.
Your obedient Servant,
FRANK R. O'SHIEL,
Medical Officer of Health.
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