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Public Health Department,
Elmfield House,
High Street,
TEDDITGTON.
To the MAYOR, ALDERMEN A1TD COUNCILLORS
OP THE BOROUGH OP TWICKENHAM.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the
health and sanitary condition of the Borough during the year
ended 31st December 19^-0.
The report is drawn up in accordance with directions
issued by the Ministry of Health, and is compiled as an
ordinary report.
I very much regret the delay which has occurred in
the preparation of this report; the work on it has had to be
set aside from time to time on account of urgent and pressing
duties brought about by the War. The general death rate
reported is higher than in 1939 because of the inclusion of
deaths due to enemy action during the period of raiding which
began at the end of August and continued throughout the remainder
of the year. The death rate of infants under one year of age
also rose from 26.14 in 1939 to in 1940. The birth rate
per 1,000 of estimated resident population was only slightly less
than in 1939; the maternal, death rate from pu1.4.
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels and cancer continued
as causes of the greatest number of deaths. There was a
sharp drop in the nuraber of cases of scarlet fever and diphtheria.
There was an epidemic of measles rising to a peak in
October; 956 cases were notified throughout the year.
In spite of the dislocation in the normal routine work
of the Department and" the additional and extraneous duties
during the raiding period, the volume of work achieved during
the year was only a little less than in 1939. In the Maternity
and Child Welfare,'School Medical and Sanitary Sections
the work continued almost up to normal level. The burden of
fork on the staff during some of those months was a heavy one
and I desire to acknowledge with many thanks the loyalty of
the staff who were most helpful and willing. I desire also to
acknowledge with thanks the friendly co-operation and help
which I received from my colleagues in other Departments of the
Corporation and the members of the Council.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
.
JOHN MADDISON.
Medical Officer Of Health.