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PREFACE
TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON- UPON- THAMES.
ANNUAL REPORT. 1956
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the
public health and social conditions of the Borough for 1956.
The Report is on a similar pattern to that for previous
years and follows the general lines indicated by the Minister
of Health. The information is given on essential matters
affecting the health of the people and the Report is in
accordance with Ministry of Health Circular 19/56.
I am indebted to Mr. G.C. Smith, Chief Public Health
Inspector, for joint authorship of the Report with special
reference to Sections C - E, and to Mr. M.E. Powell, Chief
Clerk, for assistance in drafting and compiling.
Population- The estimated mid 1956 home population
given by the Registrar General is 38.790 an estimated decrease
of 280 persons compared with 1955. It is always necessary to
draw attention to the fact that this figure relates to the
resident population of the town and is used for the calculation
of the statistical data now presented. The actual day population
has been estimated to be about 300,000 persons who come
to the town for business, education and recreation purposes.
This is a special feature of the town which influences the
volume of work and responsibility of the Corporation.
Infectious Disease - The number of infectious disease
notifications received in 1956 was 230, which is 77 lower
than in 1955- The drop is mainly due to a considerable
decrease in the incidence of measles. In general the health
of the people was very good. There were no outbreaks
necessitating special attention and a high standard of hygiene
was maintained.
No case of diphtheria was notified and further progress
was made in the active immunisation of the child population
against this deadly and disabling disease.
Vaccination against poliomyelitis - A great event of the
year was the introduction of poliomyelitis vaccination when
in May, for the first time, we had in our hands a successful
defence weapon to prevent the occurrence of this infection.
Although supplies were extremely limited, due to the complexity
and cost of manufacture on a commercial scale, such stocks as
were made available were administered immediately to registered
applicants.
Three cases of poliomyelitis occurred during the year.
Each notification was in respect of a child who had not
received an immunising injection.
Vaccination against Smallpox - This is voluntary and
calculations show that by the end of 1956 some 53% of the
children born between 1st July, 1955 and the 30th June, 1956
have been vaccinated.