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Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Wallington.
To His Worship the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Borough of Beddington and Wallington.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present my annual report for the year 1938.
This, the second report I have had the honour to lay before you,
presents a record of the state of the Public Health during the first full
year in which I have held office as Medical Officer of Health.
The year under review from a public health standpoint was very
satisfactory.
While no epidemics of major importance visited the district, the
incidence of some of the infectious diseases is substantially higher than
last year. The incidence of Diphtheria was higher, and acute Anterior
Poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis) showed a marked increase in the
autumn months. This disease of the nervous system shows a tendency
to recur at the third and fourth quarters of the year in ever-increasing
severity. Much research into the cause and treatment is being undertaken,
and it is possible that soon some measure of control and prevention
may be forthcoming.
The Birth Rate remains almost stationary, but the Death Rate is
much lower than ever previously recorded, whilst the average age at
death remains remarkably high, maintaining the reputation of the
Borough for the longevity of its inhabitants.
During the year the Public Health and the Maternity and Child
Welfare Committees have given much time and thought to the further
expansion of those services under their control, taking the Minister
of Health's report on Maternal Mortality (1937) and the correlated
Circular 1622 as their guides.
All provisions desired by this circular of Local Authorities have
now been met in the Borough, and schemes have been put into operation
which should provide for every contingency related to pregnancy,
child-birth and infant care.
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