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BOROUGH OF MALDEN AND COOMBE
ANNUAL REPORT
OF
THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
1959
Public Health Department,
Municipal Offices,
New Maiden.
August, 1960.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Borough of Maiden and Coombe.
Lady and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year 1959
which has been prepared in accordance with the Ministry of Health
Circular No. 1/60.
It is perhaps appropriate that I should introduce my first report
by mentioning one or two of the trends which are likely to influence the
work of the Public Health Department in the future.
As knowledge is increased we can expect a growing awareness of
factors in the environment which affect health and which will enable
preventive action to be taken. Thus realisation of the harmful effects
of atmospheric pollution has made it possible for local authorities in
affected areas to take action directed towards the elimination of this
hazard. This is an immense task and one which, to be successfully
carried out, will need concerted action by all those district authorities
who are constituents of the great towns and cities. The lead given by
those authorities who have already used their powers under the Clean Air
Act must be followed by others if full benefit is to be gained. Information
is being vigorously sought in many parts of the world as to the
relative significance of the many and varied atmospheric pollutants which
are the products of modern life. Much remains to be done. The elimination
of smoke and soot is the first step towards a healthy atmosphere.
The hazard of radioactivity presents a national and international
problem but with the increasing use of radioactive isotopes in industrial
processes there is a very real need for local knowledge and supervision
of sources of radioactivity. For this to be effective it will be necessary
for Public Health staff to be adequately trained in this new science so
that they can carry out their task of protecting the health of the
community they serve.