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In the early part of 1947 there was a considerable number of measles notifications.
The disease was of a little more severe type than in 1946 and several cases developed
pneumonia, but there were no deaths.
The Borough's Ambulance Service continued to provide free conveyance to Southall
ratepayers during the year.
The Cleansing Station continued to be available for the treatment of such cases as
required it. Many cases of various skin conditions were treated, in addition to the normal
cases of scabies and vermin infestation.
The Day Nurseries continued to care for the children of women in employment, and
the demand for these services was very heavy, the waiting list being greatly increased, so
much so that during the year three more nurseries could have been filled had they been
available.
The Isolation Hospital continued to admit infectious disease cases, a noteworthy point
in this connection being that only one confirmed case of diphtheria occurred in Southall
during the whole of 1947. There can be no doubt that the Isolation Hospital figures, as
presented to you during the years since immunisation against diphtheria commenced, seem
to demonstrate that anti-diphtheria immunisation is the complete answer to the problem
of the control of this disease.
Although the number of children immunised against diphtheria in Southall is high
it is not yet 100% and parents of young children who avoid having this simple and painless
treatment provided are doing their children a very great dis-service.
Work in the Sanitary Inspector's Department continued throughout the year with
steady watch over the food and housing of the people, and patient investigation and
eradication of nuisances.
This seems to me a suitable time for a brief review of the Public Health work in Southall
for the past 50 years to be made. In 1897 the population of Southall was approximately
8,000; in 50 years the little village has grown into a Borough with a population of
56,000. The birth rate that year was 32.1 per thousand, and in 1947 it was 20.16; the
death rate was 11.3 per thousand, as compared with 8 67 in 1947. Deaths from infectious
disease, other than tuberculosis, were .7 per thousand, and in 1947 they were .007. Infant
mortality was at the rate of 1102 per thousand, and in 1947 it was 38 8. (In a population
of approximately 8,000 there were 88 cases of diphtheria compared with our 1 case out of
56,000 in 1947.) It may here be noted that if the figures for the previous year, 1896, were
taken, the infant mortality rate was 149.7 per thousand, and the death rate for infectious
disease, other than tuberculosis, was 2 per thousand.
An infant welfare centre was established at the Manor House in 1915, and a health
visitor was appointed. During that year the infant mortality rate was 110.3, and it is
noteworthy that there was a gradual but steady decrease in the infant mortality rate from
that time onwards.
The statistics shown in the following pages, when compared with the corresponding
figures of the past 50 years, show that the standard of service for the care of the health and
prevention of disease of its citizens given by Southall Borough Council in the past is not
one to be decried, and it is to be hoped that the smoothly working services which will be
transferred to other authorities will not suffer during the passage, but that the wealth of
the larger authorities may be used for the benefit of your Borough's health.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking all members of the Health Department
staff for the co-operation and loyal support they have given me, and the members of
the Voluntary Workers' Association for the time they have so willingly given.
I am, your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
MARGARET A. GLASS,
Manor House, Southall. Medical Officer of Health.
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