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Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Tottenham, N. 15.
24th July, 1963.
To the Worshipful the Mayor
Aldermen and Councillors.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I submit herewith my Annual Report on the health services provided by local
government in this Borough for the year ended 31st December, 1962.
The census population figure of 113,249 was 13,680 less than ten years ago,
showing a decline at the rate of 1.3 per cent, compared to the county average of 0.15.
Density, expressed as persons per acre, was 37.6 compared to the county figure of 15.
The birth rate of 19.76 was the highest since the peak post-war year 1947. The
number of illegitimate births 256 (11.5 per cent of all births) was regrettably, the highest
ever recorded in Tottenham.
Incidence of notifiable disease was once again low - no case of smallpox,
poliomyelitis nor diphtheria occurred, and the number of new cases of tuberculosis the
lowest recorded in any previous year. Of serious importance was the estimated rise in
the spread of venereal diseases, not compulsorily notifiable in this country, but known to
be a growing national problem for social and preventive medicine.
Application of housing legislation and the Clean Air Act have been the main
preoccupation of the public health inspectors during the past year. Clearance of unfit
dwellings and raising standards in houses let off in multiple occupation taking priority.
More than one half of the Borough is now subject to smoke control orders and at the
present rate of progress will be complete within the next three years.