View report page

To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Borough of Sutton and Cheam.
Mr- Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,,
I have the honour to present to you the Annual
Report on the health of the Borough for the year 1943,
Despite the prolonged strain of war the general
standard of health and nutrition of the community remained
good.
The incidence of infectious disease vac increased
by an epidemic of Measles during the first six months, and
by a high prevalence of Scarlet Fever throughout the year.
There was a further decline in the number of cases of
Diphtheria. Influenza reached epidemic proportions during
December and was accompanied by an increase in Pneumonia,
The birth rate rose from 16.2 to 16.7 per 1000 of
population. The death rate was stationary at 10.9 per
1000 of population.
The rates for maternal mortality and for infantile
mortality were the lowest on record since the constitution
of the Borough,
The sanitary circumstances of the district were
satisfactory, except in relation to the adequacy of housing
accommodation.
The work of general sanitation, of maintenance
and repair of houses, and of supervision of food supply,
was efficiently carried out under the direction of the Chief
Sanitary Inspector (Mr, C.W.Newbery).
The water supply of the district maintained a high
standard of chemical and bacteriological purity. Effective
control by daily sampling and by chlorination was continued.
From the 19th April 1943, the Council's Civil
Ambulance Service was operated by Civil Defence personnel, who
have shown a fine spirit of devotion to duty and of service
to the community,
I thank members of the Council for their advice
and assistance during the year, and I am indebted to the
officers of the Council for their co-operation.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ENEAS J. MACINTYRE.
Medical Officer of Health.
(3)