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PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
92, BATH ROAD,
HOUNSLOW.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Heston and Isleworth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the health, vital statistics and sanitary circumstances
of the Borough and on the work of the various sections of the Health Department for the year
1947.
For convenience the larger statistical tables are grouped together at the end of the Report. The
table of Ward Statistics (Table VI) has not been given in previous Reports. Considerable variation is
normally to be expected in statistics dealing with small areas and populations and Ward Statistics would
have to be studied over a period of years before any attempt could be made to draw firm conclusions
from them.
Apart from poliomyelitis and measles, infectious disease was less prevalent than in 1946. Diphtheria
incidence was the lowest on record, but if this position is to be maintained, parents must take full advantage
of the facilities for immunisation of children. Compared with 1946 reductions are recorded in illegitimate
births, still births and maternal deaths. The low infant mortality rate of 1946 was not maintained, but
the rate for 1947 was lower than that of the pre-war years. No new services were provided during the
year, but the existing services were extended and developed in various ways. The work of the Sanitary
Inspectors in regard to environmental conditions is handicapped and delayed by circumstances beyond
their control, but the volume of work done is a tribute to their efforts.
There is no evidence in the Report which suggests that the general health and nutrition of the
citizens is not being maintained. The record could be used to support the view that improvement is
taking place. While this is true of those aspects of health capable of measurement, I have a growing
impression that the position is not so satisfactory in regard to the less easily defined aspects. In various
ways evidence which cannot be classified accurately or submitted to numerical analysis suggests that
stamina is less, fatigue more easily produced, recovery from illness slower, spirits less buoyant and that
general inertia is more prevalent. Even if such be accepted it is impossible to say whether the condition
arises from physical or psychological causes or both. Health in its true sense is something more than the
avoidance of illness or death and this must be considered in any attempt to assess the general well-being
of the population.
I should like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the staff of the Department for their
loyal co-operation, to the officers of other departments for their help and to the Council for support and
encouragement.
I remain.
Your obedient Servant,
A. ANDERSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
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