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COUNTY BOROUGH OP EAST HAM.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall Annexe ,E.6.
October, 1944.
To The Worshipful the Mayor, The Aldermen
and Councillors of the County Borough of East Ham.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report as Medical Officer of
Health and School Medical Officer for the year 1943.
The Report is again submitted in an abbreviated form.
Vital statistics show a higher birth rate (20.09),a lower death
rate (13.27), and a larger estimated population for the Borough, as
given by the Registrar General.
I am pleased to report that the infant mortality rate (48)and the
maternal mortality rate (2.60) are lower than for the previous year.
There has also been a decrease in the number of still births.
It will be seen that notifications in respect of infectious diseases
have increased but no death has occurred from Diphtheria.
The maternity wing at the East Ham Memorial Hospital, completed in
1939, was made available for the admission of patients in November,1943.
This accommodation for expectant mothers, provided by the Council within
the Borough, is greatly appreciated, and the maternity beds - 15 in
number - are continuously occupied.
The Cleansing Centre for the treatment of Scabies and similar
conditions, has served a useful purpose, and has been the means of
limiting the extent of ,??? skin affections. Little
difficulty is being experienced in getting patients to attend for
treatment, and. the special clinics arranged have permitted of supervision
and the adequate following-up of family contacts.
In respect of all forms of tuberculosis, the number of primary
notifications and cases on the register shews a definite increase during
the year occasioned largely by Service patients, those referred by
Medical Boards,and returned evacuees. A comparison with pre-war years,
however, does not indicate any considerable variance in these statistics
and it may be assumed, generally, that the civil population is not
succunbing to this malady in greatly increased numbers. It will be noted
that the deaths of pationts on the Clinic register exceeds that given
for each of the previous two years which may be due in some measure to
a restricted dietary and worsened environment al conditions.
The maintenance allowances provided by the Ministry of Health for
persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, have been of inestimable
benefit and enabled many to accept sanatorium treatment without the
delay occasioned by financial anxiety.
It is to be regretted that cases of non-pulmor&ary tuberculosis are
not Included In the Scheme. The time required to ensure complete healing
is so prolonged that resumption of work cannot be anticipated and the
patient is in evon greater need of maintenance allowances.
Owing to the demand for nursery accommodation, the Council decided
to increase the number of Wartime Nurseries in the Bosrough to five:
details are given in the Report.
I an grateful to the Chairman (Alderman Mrs. A. Taylor, J.P.) and
membere of the Public Health Committee, for their help and support
throughout the year, also to the Chairman and members of other Committees
with whom I am associated, and to my colleagues who have contributed
to the satisfactory maintenance of the Public Health,School Medical,
Hospital and ???? Sorvices.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
M. BARKER.
Medical Officer of Health.
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