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The infant mortality rate for 1954 in Wimbledon was the second
lowest on record. Twelve Wimbledon children under the age of one year
died during the year, giving, an infantile mortality rate of 15.30 per
thousand live births compared with the rate of 25.5 for England and
Wales.
With regard to infectious diseases, the figure of 200 notifications is
the lowest figure recorded in the Borough for thirteen years. This was
largely attributable to the exceptionally low incidence of measles. For
the fifth successive year there were no cases of diphtheria in Wimbledon.
Four cases of poliomyelitis were notified, two of them being associated
with paralysis. One death occurred in a non-paralytic case.
I should like to take this opportunity of expressing to the
Chairman and Members of the Health Committee my appreciation for
the consideration and courtesy which they have shown to me during the
year.
My thanks are also due to all members of the staff of the Public
Health Department for the loyal and efficient way in which they have
carried out their duties. In January, Mr. Flynn resigned from his post as
Senior Sanitary Inspector after 47 years service with the Corporation,
and I should like to pay tribute to the unstinting help and loyal cooperation
which I always received from him. Mr. Cockell was appointed
to succeed him and took up his duties on 1st February, 1954.
I should also like to pay tribute to other senior members of the
staff who resigned during the year — Mr. Fry, Deputy Senior Sanitary
Inspector, who was replaced by Mr. Godfrey, and Mr. Berrington, my
Chief Clerk, who was succeeded by Mr. Richardson.
I am much indebted to my colleagues in other Departments for
their ready help on all occasions.
I have the honour to be.
Your obedient Servant,
HAROLD ELLIS,
Medical Officer of Health.
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