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5
COUNTY BOROUGH OF EAST HAM
Tel;- GRAngewood 11*30 Public Health Department,
Town Hall Annexe,
tost Ham, E.6.
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 present my report for the two years 1958 and 1959 and again to remark on
the rise in the birthrate to 13„6 with 3,025 live births, over the period, to offset somewhat the continued
decline in the population from 112,700 in 1957 to 109,900 in 1959.
It should be remembered that in their post-war deliberations concerning the future development
of the borough the population figure of around 109,000 was considered by the Council, the optimum to be
attained possibly in about 20 years.
In the light of events this forecast of our population trend has indeed proved fairly accurate.
Infant Mortality
Of the 43 Infants who succumbed in the perinatal period, death was attributable to prematurity
in 24 Instances, in the two years under review.
It would appear that in spite of a high level of ante-natal care and the best accouchement
that can be provided locally, little progress has been made In preventing both the annual loss of young
life and the considerable suffering and anxiety to the mothers concerned*
Cancer of The Lung
This preventable disease has again proved to be one of the "Captains of the Men of Death."
1959 has proved a peak year for deaths from Cancer of the Lung with 69 cases, an increase of 12 over the
1958 figure. In each year 7 recorded deaths were women.
Disease of the Heart and Arteries
This group of diseases accounts for the greatest single cause of deaths. Hereditary factors
probably play some part in the genesis of cardio-vascular disorders, but excessive consumption of animal
fats and overweight In middle life appear also to have some bearing on the causation. Generally
speaking weight control, moderation in smoking and alcoholic consumption and continued physical activity
in middle life contribute towards longevity, whilst overweight, overindulgence in alcohol and tobacco
and the sedentary or lethargic habit tends towards cardio vascular breakdown and early death.
Diseases of the Lung
Deaths from tuberculosis of the lung in the years under review have declined to single figures,
but bronchitis and pneumonia have taken over the "killer1' role with cancer, in lung diseases, and here
again smoking and vitiation of the atmosphere appear to play a considerable predisposing part.
The Old People
The problems of old age continue to loom large. Whilst mobile and semi-active, elderly persons
living alone, or married couples, manage often with the help of the local authority Home Help Service to |retain their independence and maintain a reasonable standard of cleanliness, eomfort and nutrition.
But when sickness or decrepitude overtakes one or both of the old people, as often as not an
acute problem erupts. Little real difficulty need be encountered to find a hospital bed for the 'acute
case'. But when chronic Illness or decrepitude determines hospital placement, the way is not so easy.
In this area there appear to be no beds for 'chronic sick persons' in our hospitals, and the
majority of such elderly sick and infirm must be dealt with In their own homes, by relatives and friends
and the local authority medico-social services with medical supervision by the general practitioner.