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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 Fortieth Annual Report on the health of the
Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich. It is, on account of the war, like its immediate
predecessor, shorter than usual, but it is hoped that it contains sufficient statistics
and other material as is necessary to enable readers to appraise generally the health
of the population and the maintenance of health services under war conditions.
Since my last report the following staff changes have taken place:—
Mr. C. W. V. Harris, Sanitary Inspector, died on the 21st February.
Dr. F. J. C. Blackmore, Tuberculosis Officer, retired on superannuation on
the 3rd April.
Mr. J. S. Gibson, Sanitary Inspector, commenced duty on 4th April.
Dr. M. E. Proudfoot, Assistant Medical Officer, resigned her appointment on
the 7th October.
Mr. F. Hemingway, Sanitary Inspector, resigned his appointment on the
30th November.
Dr. F. E. Smith, Assistant Medical Officer, resigned her appointment on the
3rd December.
Miss A. Klue, Health Visitor, resigned her appointment on the 31st December.
In accordance with expectations, the war altered the work of the Department
in many ways. Most services were maintained; some were reduced; some ceased;
some were increased; new responsibilities were many.
Civil defence affected the Department in the following ways:—
(а) It was necessary to organise, staff and administer First Aid Posts and
Gas Cleansing Stations.
(b) It was necessary to organise, train and administer the Stretcher Bearer
service.
(c) It was necessary to provide medical and sanitary supervision of shelters
and shelterers.
(d) It was necessary to provide for medical supervision of the rest centres.
The work of the sanitary inspectors did not diminish. The closing of private
slaughterhouses and the concentration of slaughter in large slaughterhouses, brought
much additional work in Woolwich, the number of animals slaughtered at the Royal
Arsenal Co-operative Society's abattoir rising from 49,344 in 1939 to 89,509 in
1940. The raids damaged drains, as well as buildings, enabling sewer rats to come
to the surface, and it was necessary towards the end of the year to spend more
time on rat prevention work. The routine disinfestation, as a preventive measure,
of blankets belonging to the various sections of civil defence personnel caused a