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PREFACE.
To the Chairman and Members of the
Merton and Morden Urban District Council.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my Animal Report for the
year 1937.
The district continued to enjoy that good standard of
health which it has experienced in past years. As evidenced
by the statistical information the year 1937 compares well
with its predecessors. Mortality rates generally were low,
and as in the past were more favourable than those for the
country as a whole.
The incidence of the common endemic infections, scarlet
fever, diphtheria, measles and whooping cough, was on a
comparatively small scale. The only prevalence of an
epidemic nature was that of Sonne dysentery in the last two
months of the year, which in a mild form attacked the greater
part of the London area.
Sanitary inspection and administration of the Housing
Acts was pursued with the same vigour as before, whilst the
same strict control over food and food premises was exercised.
The Maternity and Child Welfare service completed
another exceptionally busy year. The Council has in this
organisation a service which performs work of inestimable
value. The appreciation which the residents of the district
exhibit by the considerable use which they make of this
Scheme is ample testimony to the wisdom of successive
Councils in pursuing a policy of steady expansion in this very
necessary service. Much has been done for the health of
mothers and children. More can still be done. A stage has
been reached when the work is outgrowing the accommodation
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