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Public Health Department,
43, White Horse Street, Stepney, London, E.l.
May, 1932.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you my Annual Report on the Vital
Statistics and Sanitary Condition of the Borough of Stepney for the year 1931.
The Council considered an Official representation made by me under the
Housing Act, 1930, respecting an area comprising a housing scheme affecting
471 persons.
The deaths from zymotic diseases show a decrease over the previous year,
but the following up and visiting of cases of measles has caused a great deal of
extra work to the department.
It was gratifying to note that there was a most noteworthy decline in the
occurrence of Small Pox in the Borough.
Arrangements have been made at the Council's Laboratory for the routine
examination of milk bacteriologically as well as chemically. The Freezing
point method, using the Hortvet apparatus has been adopted for the detection
of added water in milk. This additional test has been found to be of considerable
assistance in the work of the laboratory.
The general sanitary condition of the Borough continues to receive the close
attention of the Department, numerous visits are paid to houses, food premises,
workshops and outworkers' premises.
In June the Council considered the question of the public cleansing service
in Stepney and also the cost of that service. Having received reports from the
Heads of the Departments directly connected with this subject, they set up a
Public Cleansing Committee and appointed a Public Cleansing Officer.
The Tuberculosis Notification Register is under revision. This has enabled
us to take a considerable number of cases off the register during the past year.
The work is not yet completed.
The grant of extra nourishment to Tuberculous persons has been found to
be of great service and is becoming more utilised.
During the year, the Council took over a voluntary maternity and child
welfare centre at the Congregational Buildings, Burdett Road.
Owing to the large number of attendances at our dental clinic it was found
necessary to increase the number of the Maternity sessions.
The Lightermen's strike, towards the end of the year, affected local conditions
considerably, and there was a great demand for free milk and meals.
People who had never previously applied for milk were bound to do so during
this period. The milk was granted only on medical grounds in every case.
Children quickly show signs of malnutrition when they are undernourished;
bronchitis, mild rickets and other deficiency diseases develop.
I should like to mention the support I have received from the Public Health
and Maternity and Child Welfare Committees in all the activities we have
undertaken during the year, also from the whole staff who have worked loyally
and well. I desire to thank both them and the members of the Committees
mentioned in assisting me in carrying out the duties of my office.
I remain, Yours obediently,
J. M. BROWNE,
Medical Officer of Health..