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4
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 Forty-sixth Annual Report on the health of
the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich which, in accordance with the instructions
of the Minister of Health, is again in an abridged form.
Dr. E. Virginia Saunders-Jacobs continued to act as Medical Officer of Health
until my return from service with H.M. Forces in September.
There were no large scale outbreaks of illness during 1946, and the number
of cases of infectious diseases coming to the knowledge of the Department was
comparatively low, except in the case of measles, of which there were 1,301 cases
compared with 1,052 in 1945. There was a slight increase in the number of cases
of scarlet fever. There were fewer cases of diphtheria, the number of cases in
which this diagnosis was confirmed being the lowest ever recorded. There was
only one death from diphtheria and two deaths from whooping cough ; no deaths
occurred from scarlet fever, measles, typhoid fever or Cerebrospinal fever.
The Registrar General's estimate of the mid-1946 population shews an increase
of 19,150 over that of 1945. The birth rate (21.6) was the highest recorded since
1921, and the death rate (11.4) was the lowest since 1939. The infant mortality
rate (31) was the lowest ever recorded. There was only one maternal death. A
summary of vital statistics will be found in Table No. I, and detailed causes of
death are shewn in Table No. II.
Despite staffing difficulties, the health services were well maintained and
greater use than ever before was made of the maternity and child welfare centres.
Difficulties in securing the repair of housing defects became more acute during
the year owing to a worsening in the supply of building materials. Disputes
regarding the extent of war damage as opposed to fair wear and tear gave rise to
delay in carrying out repairs. Coupled with the grave shortage of houses these
difficulties made the Sanitary Inspectors' task an unenviable one. Nevertheless,
it proved possible to maintain a relatively reasonable standard for housing.
The quality and freshness of the food supplies distributed in the Borough were
on the whole satisfactory and there were no serious outbreaks of food poisoning.
It will be noted that such adulterations as occurred were of a minor character and
rarely of major articles of diet.
In presenting this report I desire to express my appreciation of the continued
confidence and support which I received from the members of the Council, and
in particular from the Chairman and members of the Health Committees. My
thanks are due to the chief officers of the Council for their help, and to the staff of
the Health Department for their conscientious work and loyal assistance.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
T. STANDRING,
Medical Officer of Health.