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COUNTY BOROUGH OF EAST HAM.
Public Health Department,
Town Hill Annexe,
Barking Road,
East Ham,E.6.
May, 1942.
To Hi3 Worship the Mayor, the Aldermen and Councillors
of the County Borough of Bast Ham.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit, as Medical Officer of Health and
School Medical Officer,my Annual Report for the year 1941.
In accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Health and
Board of Education this Report is presented. in an abbreviated form
and is for this reason mainly statistical
It is noteworthy that the incidence of serious infectious disease
was the lowest for many years despite adverse conditions during the
early part of the year, and that whilst the birth and death rates
snow little variance, the maternal mortality rate was 1.04 for East
Ham as compared with 2.23 for England and Wales and the infant mortality
rates were 46 and 59 respectively.
Both the Public Health and School Medical Services have had to deal
with an increase in verminous and skin conditions, particularly scabies
and impetigo. Special Clinics and bathing facilities have been made
available for treatment.
Attention was drawn in my last Report to the fact that extended
immunization was very desirable. I am pleased to state that the number
of children, immunised against diphtheria has greatly increased, and
that every effort is being made to afford protection in this respect.
It will be seen that, despite the limitations of wartime, the
Public Health Services have been maintained successfully and that
deleterious factors normally affecting the health of the Borough have
not assumed unusual proportions.
During the latter part of the year consideration was given to the
establishment of two wartime Nurseries, one in the north and the other
in the south of the Borough., These are now functioning efficiently and
serve the needs of many mothers engaged on war work.
The Ministry of Labour has introduced an interim scheme for the training
and re-settlement, of disabled persons, including sufferers from
Tuberculosis, This affords rehabilitation to those whose physical condition
necessitates employment under protected circumstances and in a suitable
environment. lt is hoped that advantage will be taken of these facilities.
The help afforded by the East Ham District Nursing Association,
the Invalid Children's Aid Association, and the Tuberculosis After-Care
Committee, are worthy of special praise, and I record appreciation of
their services. The work associated with the E.M.S. Hospitals,
Casualties and Sholter Services has continued with efficiency as heretofore,
and I am grateful to the personnel and to members of the
Public Health and School Medical Staffs for their valued assistance.
My thanks are due also to Alderman Mrs. Wilkens, and Councillor
Elson, the Chairmen, and to the members of the Public Health Committee
and to those of other Committees, to Chief Officers and Heads of
Services, for their cordial co-operation on very many occasions.
I have the honour to be.
Your obedient Servant
M. BARKER.
Medical Officer of Health.
2.