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The birth rate for Southall is still declining. It has fallen every year since
1946 and is 15.72 for 1949 compared with 18.14 in 1948. The corresponding rate for
the whole of England and Wales in 1949 was 16.7. In view of the housing situation
in the district it is a matter rather more for satisfaction than otherwise that the
birth rate should be low. It is unfortunate that persons who are sub-tenants or who
are occupying furnished accommodation in the district very often find themselves
in danger of complaints, difficult personal relationships, and sometimes eviction on
the arrival of a new infant, and it is not easy for such families to obtain other
accommodation.
Infant Mortality.
It is very disappointing to note that during the year 1949 the infant mortality
rate has risen from 29.1 to 40.18, this corresponds with a national rate of 32.
Examination of the details of these deaths shows that 34 deaths out of 35 occurred
in nursing home or hospital, and one was that of an unidentified infant found in
the canal. Only 6 of these deaths were due to congenital malformations and,
therefore, unpreventable in the light of our present knowledge.
The number of premature infants born in 1949 was 33, of whom 24 survived to
the end of one month.
Maternal Morbidity.
During the year three cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified. There was one
maternal death, but no death associated with abortion.
Scabies Clinic.
The total number of attendances at the Clinic for treatment of scabies and
other skin conditions during 1949 was 1,685. Details of the cases were as follows:—
Scabies First Visit 71. Re-attendances 208. Total 279
Other skin conditions „ „ 205. „ 717. „ 922
Verminous heads „ „ 251. „ 233. „ 484
Baths (395 treatment baths; 371 ordinary) „ 766
Total attendances for all purposes 2,056
Total attendances for treatment 1,685
Although the total attendance numbers for all purposes is higher than in 1948,
the attendances for treatment at the Cleansing Station decreased in 1949. The total
number of treatments, 1,685, compares with a total number of 1,858 in 1948. It is
probable that the decrease in scabies is actual and shows a satisfactory state of
skin cleanliness in the Borough, but the figure for verminous heads is open to
query, as the number of cases referred from the schools for home treatment is
increasing over the number sent to Crosby House. If these cases are brought to
the Cleansing Station it is very often possible to trace evidence of infection
amongst elder members of the family who might escape detection otherwise for
a considerable amount of time, that this is possible is shown by the number of
cases attending the Cleansing Station who are suffering from a heavy degree of
infestation usually with considerable secondary infection of the scalp, and sepsis.
It is usual in those cases to obtain the attendance of other members of the families
concerned who have some degree of infestation and the work of clearing the whole
family is then carried out satisfactorily.
PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS AND OTHER
DISEASES
There was a considerable drop in the number of infectious disease notifications
during 1949, principally caused by the comparatively small number of measles
notifications—194 as compared with 825 in 1948. This is in accordance with the
biennial incidence of measles epidemics, although I noted in my Annual Report
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