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BOROUGH OF MITCHAM
Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health
for 1940
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
Borough of Mitcham.
Sir, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Owing to war conditions this annual report is confined to the urgent
and essential matters effecting the public health during the year.
In November 1940 your Medical Officer of Health was unfortunately
killed by enemy action, and Mitcham lost one of it3 most popular and
efficient Officers.
Heavy and almost continuous night raids during the latter months of
the year put a great strain on the Health Services, but I am glad to report
that the general health of the population remained good and in spite of
shelter life, no epidemic of infectious disease occurred.
There was an increase in the birth rate, which is the highest reported
since 1936, end an increase in the death rate, the highest since 1918.
Meopham Road and Western Road Infant Welfare Centres were discontinued
in 1939, but in spite of this the number of new attendances increased.
Woodlands Maternity Home- continued its work satisfactorily. Although
the upper wards were closed, 239 cases were admitted, 15 fewer than in
1939.
During the latter part of the year, the routine duties of the Sanitary
Inspectors were limited by war conditions, and they gave an increasing
amount of time to the a.R.P. services, their help proving most valuable
during a difficult period.
A. ASHWORTH
Medical Officer of Health.
August, 1942.
Statistics and Social Conditions.
Area (in acres) 2935 acres.
Population, Census 1921 35,119.
„ „ 1931 56,856.
„ Registrar-General 1940 60,630.
Number of inhabited houses 16,635.
Rateable Value 1940 £503,507.
Sum represented by 1d. rate £1,950.
MIT9