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Metropolitan Borough of Deptford.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
New Cross Road, S.E. 14.
June, 1918.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors.
Gentlemen,
On behalf of Dr. Whitehouse, I have the honour of submitting
the Annual Report on the health of the Borough during 1917.
As in the previous year and for the same reasons, the Report is
only a brief summary of the work done in respect of certain of the
more important matters.
The work of the Department has been rendered difficult by the
further "calling up" of members of the permanent staff. Also
the entire clerical staff has been replaced by temporary clerks with
no previous experience of Public Health Work. These changes
necessitated a complete reorganisation of the duties of the various
members of the staff.
The most important point in the Report and one to which I
would draw your attention, is the rapid decline in the birth rate,
a matter of grave public concern. In 1917 there were 749 fewer
babies born in Deptford than in 1913, the last year of peace, when the
rate had been already falling. I put forward these figures not with the
idea of suggesting a method of promoting a recovery of the birth rate,
but as showing the need for putting forth every effort to save the lives
of those that are born.
Along with a reduced birth rate, I have to report an increased
infantile mortality rate, due principally to an outbreak of measles.
From a consideration of these two facts, the Committee will see the
necessity of developing and extending the Maternity and Child Welfare
Work in the Borough.
To the Chairman and Members of the Committee I have to
acknowledge with deep thanks the encouragement and support they
have always rendered me.
To the Members of the Public Health Staff I have to record my
appreciation of the admirable manner in which they have discharged
their duties—duties which are often difficult and not always pleasant.
I am,
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
M. Macdonald.