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age of 1 year in 1962 out of 472 live births. On page 15 will be found
an analysis of the causes of death. The corresponding rate for England
and Wales is 21.40.
The incidence of infectious disease generally throughout the year,
has been low, measles giving the highest figure with 23 notified cases.
Whooping cough with 16 notified cases was next in order of
incidence. Fifteen cases of scarlet fever were notified. It is felt that
the attention of parents should again be drawn to the need for immunisation
against whooping cough. The immunising material used throughout
the year against diphtheria, contained immunising material against
whooping cough and tetanus.
It is pleasing to record that during the year no cases of poliomyelitis
occurred in the Borough. This is the fourth year in succession in
which we have been able to make this comment.
The annual reports for the years 1937 and 1961 covered periods
respectively when the District was an Urban District and the 25 years
after the District became a Borough. In looking over the records of
the District since 1915 one is struck by the changing outlook and
character of the work of the Public Health Department. The introduction
of immunising procedures against diphtheria, whooping cough,
poliomyelitis and tuberculosis has so reduced the number of cases of
all these diseases now notified as to make the work of prevention very
much easier. In the case of tuberculosis there has been an enormous
reduction of mortality from the disease as well as the incidence. Much
of the time thus made available to Public Health staff has to be spent
in the field of social medicine. In particular, the Medical Officer of
Health in his capacity of Divisional Medical Officer for the MidEastern
Division of the Surrey County Council, has to devote a great
deal of his energies to the alleviation of families suffering from social
malaise.
The changing pattern of the life of many people, together with the
altered moral outlook has created social problems, which are giving a
great deal of anxiety to both Central and Local Governments. The
number of juvenile delinquents, which every year shows a great increase,
has affected the work of Medical Officers as well as educationalists.
The appointment of social workers, together with an increasing number
of probation officers, has made it necessary to co-ordinate all aspects
of social services in an endeavour to improve the worsening situation.
The break up in family life resulting from divorce and temporary
arrangements between men and women outside the marital bond brings
enormous problems in its train.
Increase in illegitimacy with the need to make provision either in
foster homes or institutions for neglected and unwanted children throws
a considerable burden on local Health Authorities. In an endeavour to
co-ordinate the work of all persons trying to improve the social outlook,
the County Council set up in 1957 co-ordinating Conferences under the
chairmanship of the Divisional Medical Officers throughout the county,
and this has already been reported upon in previous annual reports.
These Conferences, at which every aspect of problem families are reviewed,
have proved very effective in dealing with problems which had
at first sight seemed insoluble.
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