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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 for the year 1941.
The report is presented largely in the form of a tabulated
summary with the corresponding details for 1940 shown for purposes
of comparison. The various items have been selected to show broadly
the work carried out by the Department and as pointers to the
general health of the inhabitants of the Borough.
The various sections of the Department have continued to
function and every effort has been made to maintain the services.
The figures show that apart from the Sanitary Inspectors' section
the services have not been curtailed. The call on the Sanitary Inspectors
for other work in connection with certain aspects of Civil
Defence has reduced the time available for their routine duties and
this is reflected in the statistics dealing with their work. Shortage
of materials and labour have necessitated the reduction to a
minimum of the work asked for in connection with housing defects and
nuisances but it is hoped that more attention can be given soon to
the inspection and supervision of food.
The outstanding feature in regard to infectious disease
was a small outbreak of paratyphoid fever. The first case was notified
at the end of April and was followed by 16 in May, 6 in June,
1 in July, 3 in August, 1 in September and 2 in October. Of the
30 cases, 16 were diagnosed in West Middlesex County Hospital and 5
May cases, 4 June cases, 1 July case, 1 August case and the 1 September
and 2 October cases were not residents of the Borough. The
16 Borough cases varied in age from 3 to 66 years and 10 were females.
All cases were admitted to South Middlesex Infectious Diseases
Hospital and none died. One case discharged from hospital
after 92 days remains a carrier and is being kept under observation.
Despite the expenditure of much time and toil the source of infection
was not traced conclusively. The investigations suggested
artificial cream as the likeliest source of infection. It is certain
that a carrier of paratyphoid bacilli engaged in the handling
of food was not exercising due care in cleansing of hands after use
of the water closet. The need for the provision of adequate washing
facilities for staff and insistence on the use of such facilities
by the staff are not realised in all premises where food is
handled.
Scarlet fever, whooping cough and tuberculosis were more
prevalent than in 1940. The increase in the notifications of
tuberculosis was general throughout the country and is in some way
associated with war conditions. Diphtheria cases and deaths are
still too frequent. The attendance at diphtheria immunisation
clinics was the largest since the scheme started in 1930 but unless
a larger number of parents take and continue to take an active
interest in protecting their children diphtheria will take toll of
young life.
The birth rate is the lowest recorded for the Borough during
the present century. The death rate is lower than in 1940
largely due to the absence of deaths by enemy action. The percentage
of deaths occurring at age 65 or over was 51 as compared with
48 in 1940, 45 in 1938 and 32 in 1908-15. Deaths from tuberculosis
digestive diseases and nephritis all showed increases as compared '
with 1940. The increase in infant deaths and still—births gives
some cause for anxiety. Investigations have failed to reveal any
special contributory causes but the increase serves to emphasize
the need for vigilance and perseverance In efforts to safeguard the