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TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE
BOROUGH OF SUTTON AND CHEAM
Mr. Mayor, Ladles and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you the Annual Report on
the health of the Borough for the year 1957.
The general health of the community was good, despite the
Impact of epidemics of Influenza and Measles. The estimated
population showed an Increase of one hundred and forty. The birth
rate Increased from 11.4 to 12.3 per thousand of population. The
death rate rose slightly from 11.1 to 11.3 per thousand of
population. The Infantile mortality rate was higher. There was
no maternal death.
There was an increased incidence of infectious diseases.
Measles was epidemic during the Spring. A widespread epidemic
of Influenza prevailed during the Autumn. Cases of Pneumonia
increased. Whooping Cough was more prevalent. There were fewer
cases of Scarlet Fever, Dysentery and Food Poisoning. Eleven cases
of Poliomyelitis were notified. No case of Diphtheria occurred.
A mass X-Ray Unit visited the Borough in July for two weeks with
record attendances. There is increasing interest in this valuable
diagnostic service.
The Council's Housing Programme is limited by scarcity of
sites. Consequently slum clearance is retarded. No new houses were
completed during the year. At the end of the year seventy two
houses or flats were planned or under construction. Sixty nine
applications for subsidies for the building of houses in new towns
were accepted.
The work, of sanitation, of the prevention of nuisances and
of the protection of food was efficiently carried out under
the direction of the Chief Public Health Inspector (Mr. C. W. Newbery)
and his successor (Mr. A.S. Williams) to whom I am indebted for
their helpful collaboration.
Work on the second stage of the reconstruction of the
Worcester Park Sewage Works proceeded during the year.
The water supply of the district maintained a high standard
of chemical and bacteriological purity. Effective control by
sampling and by chlorlnatlon was continued.
I thank the Members of the Council for their advice and help
during the year and I am indebted to the Officers of the Council
for their co-operation.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladles and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ENEAS J. MACINTYRE
Medical Officer of Health
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