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 1951.
The preliminary report of the Registrar General on the
Census of April 1951 gives the population of the Borough as being
80, 664, composed of 36, 885 males and 43,779 females. His
estimate at mid-year 1951, on which the statistics In this report
are based, was 79,520.
The general health of the community remained good. There
was a fall In the birth rate from 12.6 per 1000 of population to
11.5 per 1000 of population, The death rate was stationary. The
Infantile mortality rate was the lowest yet recorded. There was
no maternal death.
There was an Increase In the general Incidence of Infectious
diseases. A severe epidemic of Measles occurred during the early
months of the year. Simultaneously Influenza became prevalent.
There were outbreaks of Dysentery during the Spring and Summer.
Six cases of Poliomyelitis were notified. There was one case of
Diphtheria.
A Mass Radiography Unit visited the Borough in June and
September. This service contributes towards the reduction of
Tuberculosis and stimulates interest In the prevention of Illness.
Good progress is being made towards the completion of the
Council's Housing Programme within the Borough. During the year
101 flats and houses were completed, and 151 flats and houses
were In course of erection. Schemes were In preparation for 62
flats and houses. The Council Is making every effort to promote
the development of a site at Banstead to relieve the urgent need
for houses.
The work of general sanitation, of the prevention of
nuisances, and of the protection of food, was carried out
efficiently under the direction of the Chief Sanitary Inspector
(Mr. C. W. Newbery) to whom, and to the staff, I express my
appreciation of the high standard of service.
The water supply of the district maintained chemical and
bacteriological purity. Effective control by daily sampling and
and by chlorination was continued.
I thank the members of the Council for their advice and help
during the year, and I am grateful to the officers of the Council
for their co-operation,.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladles and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ENEAS J. MACINTYRE
2 Medical Officer of Health.