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Public Health Department,
92 Bath Road,
HOUNSLOW.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Heston
and Isleworth.
Lady and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit my Annual Report on the work of the Health
Department for the year 194 0.
In accordance with Ministry of Health Circular No. 2 067
the report is type-writ ten and is presented largely in the form of
a tabulated summary with the corresponding details for 1939 shown
for purposes of comparison. The usual records have been kept in
the department so that a more detailed report, if required, could
be made at a later date.
The various sections of the department had restored their
full pre-war service by the beginning of February, This service
has been maintained in all sections except in that of the Sanitary
Inspectors. The work of billeting and re-housing has encroached
and continues to encroach seriously on the routine duties of the
Sanitary Inspectors and this is reflected in the statistics dealing
with their work.
Apart from the outbreak of cerebro-spinal fever early in
the year the Borough was free from any epidemic. Despite strenuous
efforts to popularise diphtheria immunisation there was an increase
in the number of cases of diphtheria. There was an increase
in the notifications but a reduction in deaths from tuberculosis.
The increase in cases and deaths from pneumonia was associated
with the severe winter weather.
The death rate showed a definite increase. Apart from
enemy action no other cause of death calls for special note. Of
the total deaths, 22.6 per cent., 19.0 per cent. and 6.3 per cent,
occurred at ages 65-75, 75 - 85 and over 85 respectively. The
precentage of deaths occurring at age 65 or over was 48 as compared
with 45 in 1938 and 32 in 1908-15. The increase of infant deaths
under one year of age was not due to any one cause of death. Apart
from a greater toll of life at the extremes of age the health of
the Borough showed no deterioration when compared with the year
1939. No specific evidence was found during the year that war
conditions were having an adverse effect on the general health of
the population.
Work in connection with civil defence pressed heavily on
the department during the year but the staff responded well to the
call for additional effort. For their loyal assistance I am especially
grateful.
I desire to express my thanks to the Chairman and Members
of the Committees for their support and to my colleagues in other
departments for their co-operation.
I remain,
Your obedient servant,
A. ANDERSON.
Medical Officer of Health.