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PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
Town Hall Annexe,
East Ham, E.6.
MY, 1941.
To His Worship the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the County
Borough of East Ham.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have- the honour to submit the Annual Reports for the
year 1940 required by the Ministry of Health and Board of Education.
The information contained therein is, at the request of
the Ministry, confined to statistical matter, although much could
be written of Public Health and School Medical activities during
the year. It is presented in stencilled form for reasons of economy.
No outbreak of epidemic illness occurred, and the most
noteworthy feature of the Health Report is perhaps the low incidence
of Infectious Disease, which is all the more remarkable considering
wartime conditions, and the movement of persons.
The infant mortality rate shows no increase over the
previous year. The maternal mortality rate is less than formerly,and
lower than that for England and Wales as a whole. The birth rate is
relatively the same as last year.
All the Public health Services have been maintained,
although some curtailment was deemed advisable during the early part
of the year. The Report indicates that both as regards the health
and sanitary circumstances of the Borough the position is satisfactory,
but protective measures such as immunisation have not met with
the response expected.
I venture to suggest that tho Civil Defence and other
Services offer a unique opportunity for health propaganda. The
dissemination of such knowledge by their members nay bo of vital
??? to the community.
The E.M.S.Hospitals, Casualties and Shelter Services have
entailed much additional work, and all tho staff of the Public Health
Department have voluntarily undertaken as a contribution to the
National Emergency, duties in connection with Civil Defence.
I desire to record appreciation of their valuable services
and am grateful for their assistance and support in every direction.
I also wish to thank all members of the Casualties Services under my
control for their excellent work in difficult time3, and for tho
courage and endurance displayed on numerous occasions.
My thanks are due to Alderman Mrs. Wilkens, the Chairman,
and to members of the Public Health Committee, and to those of other
Committees, to Chief Officers and Heads of Services with whom I am
closely associated.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
Medical Officer of Health.
2.