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Public Health Department,
Elmfield House,
High Street,
Teddington,
To the MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS
of the BOROUGH OF TWICKENHAM.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the annual statistical summary
and report on the health and sanitary conditions of the Borough
during the year ending 31st December, 1947.
The figures in the various tables reflect the enormous
increaso in the popularity-and use tho public is making of the
health sorvices. More and more people are seeking advice; in
every section of tho .department the work continues to expand.
The mortality and infoctious disease rates indicate that the
health of the people of the- Borough is good; the most recent
figures shew continuous improvement.
The birth rate rose to 19.72 births per thousand, of the
population which is the highest it has ever been; there were
2,089 new babies born - an increase of over 500 on the usual
average for the Borough. In addition to this natural increase,
the population increased by another three thousand, due to
people coming into the Borough from other places. The pressure
on the housing accommodation became more acute than ever, cases
of overcrowding becoming more and more. frequent. The health
services were extended without interruption to deal with this
extra work. The ante-natal, midwifery and infant welfare
services worked smoothly and efficiently, notwithstanding the
enhanced volume of work which they were called upon to deal with.
The death rate was 11,05 deat hs per thousand of the
population, which is lowor than tho death rate for England and
Wales. 'Heart disease claims by far the greatest number of
victims, followed closely by cancer and stroke.
There wore again 143 primary notifications of tuberculosis,
which is higher than than pre-war average. In the summer and
autumn of this year we had the epidemic of poliomyelitis In
which 21 cases occurred.
On tho whole tho health of the people in tho Borough
remains remarkably good. The children in the schools are well
fed, well looked after and have few defects. Nevertheless
there are many problems still outstanding including the
prevention of tuberculosis, food poisoning, rheumatism, cancer,
heart.disease and many other afflictions.
The staff of the department have worked exceedingly hard.
I beg to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Chairman and Members
of the Public Health and Maternity and Child Welfare Committees
for their helpfulness and support which are always of the
greatest encouragement. I, desire also to acknowledge with thanks
tho friendly co-operation and help which I have always received
from my colleagues in the other departments of the Corporation
and the other members of the Council.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN MADDISON
Medical Officer of Health.
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