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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 submit my Annual Report on the health, vital statistics and sanitary circumstances
of the Borough for the year 1952. The report has been prepared on the lines suggested by the
Ministry of Health and for convenience the larger statistical tables have been grouped together at the
end of the Report.
The birth rate continues well below the rate for the country; the death rate shows little departure
from recent years; the infant mortality rate remains under 20 and the tuberculosis death rate is the lowest
in the Borough records. For the second year in succession no woman died from any condition associated
with pregnancy and childbirth but the low still birth rate of recent years was not maintained. No case
of diphtheria occurred and apart from some increase in scarlet fever and measles there was no undue
prevalence of infectious disease. While, on the whole, the Report indicates progress there is no room for
complacency. The World Health Organisation of the United Nations defines health as " a state of complete
physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity " and we still
fall far short of that standard.
In his Report for the year 1951 the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health states:—"One
result of all the work which has been carried out over the past century has been that such an improvement
has taken place in the physical environment in this country, that the average Briton can now enjoy a
much healthier and more agreeable life than his ancestors. It is important to realize that most of this
improvement has been effected without his having had to exert himself or put himself to any great inconvenience.
A silent army of sanitary technicians has unobtrusively worked this miracle on his behalf.
We have now reached the point where further improvement in the physical environment is likely to show
diminishing returns and the tendency during the present century has been for the public health worker to
transfer the emphasis of his attention from the environment to the person. We have, in fact, arrived
at a time when the citizen himself must actively participate in the campaign for better health if further
substantial progress is to be made. We are leaving the era of sanitary engineering and are entering into
that of personal hygiene in which each person must definitely contribute to the common weal."
Since the introduction of the National Health Service the public have certainly shown signs of being
disease-conscious and hospital-minded and it is difficult to find any evidence of interest in preventive
medicine and health. The concentration of thought on disease and hospitals must be diverted to the
individual's responsibility for his own health. No matter what new drugs may be discovered or operations
devised it will still remain true that " health is won by a way of life and not by a bottle of medicine."
I am pleased to acknowledge the generous co-operation and assistance I have received from other
Departments. The loyal and willing assistance of my staff has continued and given me much pleasure.
I would like to express to the Council my thanks for their encouragement and support.
I remain,
Your obedient servant,
A. ANDERSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
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