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ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR 1943
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Chingford Corporation.
Mr. Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
I have pleasure in presenting my third Annual Report upon
the health and sanitary circumstances of the Borough.
The Birth Rate has continued its upward trend, reaching 18.9,
the highest rate recorded since 1930.
The Infant Mortality Rate of 23.8 again compares very
favourably with that of England and Wales which is 49. The
majority of infant deaths in the Borough occurred within one week
of birth, and analysis of the causes of death gives reasonable
grounds for expecting that medical knowledge combined with
health education and increasingly satisfactory environmental
conditions, will in measurable time further reduce the figure. The
Infant Mortality Rate is generally accepted as a fairly accurate
index of the level of health of a community, and, on its consideration
in conjunction with the other available vital statistics of the
district, it can be said that the general health of the inhabitants
has remained satisfactory.
During the year the incidence of Measles was markedly reduced
and the notifications of Tuberculosis were fortunately slightly less
than the previous year. The Influenza epidemic towards the end
of the year was evidenced by the increased numbers of cases of
Pneumonia. The number of cases of Scarlet Fever was unusually
high but the infection was of a mild type and no deaths occurred.
No report of Civil Defence activities is included, but the
Health Department has continued to devote a considerable proportion
of its time to the Casualty and other Civil Defence Services
of the Borough.
In conclusion, I wish again to record the continued loyal
service given by the Chief Sanitary Inspector, Mr. James F. Rogers,
and the staff of the Health Department.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM D. HYDE,
Medical Officer of Health.
June, 1944.
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