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diseases was remarkably low. All the usual Health Services of the
Department were maintained in a state of efficiency throughout the
year, alternative arrangements having been promptly made in those
instances in which at the outbreak of war certain premises, specially
provided for these services, were required for Civil Defence purposes.
The presentation of this Report affords an opportunity of
expressing my appreciation of the support which I have received
from the Council in my work as Medical Officer of Health of the
Borough during the past nineteen and a half years. I wish at the
same time to thank the Chief Officers of other Departments for their
co-operation. During 1939 the staff of the Public Health Department
had a year of strenuous work owing to the very considerable
additional duties which they were called upon to undertake in connection
with the provision and organisation of the casualty services and
other air raid precautions measures; it became necessary for very
long hours of duty to be devoted to this work by all members of the
staff, not only during the earlier months before the outbreak of war
but increasingly so afterwards, and they have given me much valued
assistance. I wish to record, and thank them for, their efficient
service during a trying period.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
E. A. FREEAR WILKES,
Medical Officer of Health.
May, 1940.