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9
PREFACE.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the Twenty-first Annual
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of
Woolwich.
The report follows the lines laid down by the Ministry of
Health in order to ensure uniformity in the presentation of
Annual Reports of Medical Officers of Health throughout
the country.
The chief vital statistics relating to the year are as follows :
The population shows a diminution as compared with last
year but it is to be remembered that the population for 1921
is an enumerated one, whereas that for 1920 was estimated.
The Census figures for 1921 are 140,403, an increase of 16.9
per cent., compared with the figure for 1911. The birthrate,.
23.5, is somewhat lower than last year : the marriagerate,
14.2, shows a decrease compared with previous years;
the death-rate, 11.7, and the infantile mortality rate, 62,
compare with 10.5 and 61 in 1920.
During the year three diseases were present in epidemic
form, viz., scarlet fever, diphtheria, and zymotic enteritis.
In consequence of these epidemics great pressure was put on
the hospital accommodation of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board, and in consequence it was necessary to isolate 135
B
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