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6
East Ham has suffered much less in this respect than other areas.
This is partly accounted for by the fact that although there has
been an increasing number of so-called conscientious objectors
to vaccination, when an epidemic has threatened, the parents of
contacts (and contacts) have taken my advice willingly and had
their children or themselves vaccinated. The disease of latter
years has been of the very mild form and one vaccination mark
has proved sufficient to prevent infection of contacts.
As mentioned later in my report, Maternal Mortality is still
too high and I regret that I shall not see officially the provision
of a Maternity Home, which I have advocated for a number of
years. Such an institution, with the addition of a Municipal
Midwifery Service, would do much to reduce the mortality among
mothers.
The provision of the pavilion at Harts Sanatorium and the
extensions and additions to the Infectious Diseases Hospital are
a source of satisfaction to me. To turn to the reverse side of
the picture, it is regrettable that, although one of the pioneers
in Maternity and Child Welfare and School Medical Services,
the department has still to carry on the various clinics in
improvised buildings, in spite of my repeated advocacy for
up-to-date and permanent buildings for clinic purposes.
I would in conclusion like to pay a tribute to my colleagues
with whom I have laboured, both in the Council and on the staff,
to their never failing kindness and help I have always received.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
W. BENTON,
Medical Officer of Health.