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7
PREFACE.
Public Health Offices,
Ilford.
His Worship the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
of the Borough of Ilford.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I herewith submit the Annual Report required by the Ministry of Health
and Board of Education. The Report has been curtailed as requested by
these Government Departments.
It will be noted that the Infant Mortality Rate has fallen to 33.9, which
is the lowest recorded in the district with the exception of the year 1930;,
when it was 33.0 per 1,000.
Enough statistical information is contained in the Report to show that
the Public Health Services have been maintained as far as possible in a
normal state of efficiency in spite of the demands made upon the Public
Health Services occasioned by the war.
Some idea of this is shown by my stating that eight fully equipped First
Aid Posts, together with a Mobile Unit, have been provided. During the
year in question, 30 courses in Anti-Gas were arranged, involving 240 lectures
and demonstrations, and 1,325 volunteers ; in addition, 47 courses in First Aid
were arranged, 23 for the Casualty Services volunteers, 10 for the Auxiliary
Nursing Services and 14 for the Wardens. These courses necessitated 263
lectures and demonstrations in respect of 609 volunteers, 79 Auxiliary Nurses
and 1,399 Wardens.
In addition to the above, 63 lectures in First Aid were given by the
doctors of the Public Health staff to the Ambulance Drivers, Stretcher
Bearers and Rescue and Demolition Parties, and other classes in First Aid were
arranged at three schools for teachers, and at one school in Home Nursing.
Very considerable periods of overtime have been readily undertaken by the
medical and clerical members of the Department and only by this means was
it possible to carry through the work to its present stage.
I wish to thank the members of the Council for their support, and I
have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
A. H. G. BURTON,
Medical Officer of Health.