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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 for the year 1957. The report has
been prepared on the lines suggested by the Ministry of Health and the larger statistical
tables have been grouped together at the end of the report. Some variation
in the figures from year to year must be expected. Attention should be given, not
only to the records of any one year, but to the trends shown over a period of years.
The birth rate, though the highest recorded since 1949, was still well below
the national rate. The local death rate was only slightly lower than the national
rate. The chief causes of death were again cancer and degenerative diseases of the
circulatory system. Evidence continues to accumulate on the association of cigarette
smoking with cancer of the lung. No doubt people who have been smoking cigarettes
for many years think that it is too late to stop, but there are now indications
that cancer of the lung is less prevalent in those who have ceased to smoke cigarettes.
The great problem is how to discourage the young from starting cigarette
smoking. it is difficult to see how health department propaganda can ever compete
against the flood of trade advertisements, and therefore it is to be hoped that
parents, and all associated with youth, will remember that example is more potent
than precept.
The causes of degenerative diseases of the circulatory system are still obscure.
There are indications that consumption of fat, stress, obesity, active or sedentary
occupation, etc., may play a part, but as yet no clear indication of preventive
measures has appeared Accidental deaths were slightly less than in 1956, but 68
per cent of them occurred in persons aged 65 years and over. The special proneness
of the aged to accidents especially falls, should be kept in mind by all who have
any responsibility for their care. Burning accidents are still to frequent. The
basic cause of these in young children and the aged is, in most cases, the unguarded
fire. The use of pyjamas instead of nightdresses reduces this risk. Fabrics conforming
to the B,S.I. specification of safety are now on the market, but unfortunately
these 'non-flam- materials are expensive. Unless there is evidence of public demand,
manufacturers will hesitate to put such materials on the market.
The still birth rate was the lowest in the Borough records, but the infant
mortality rate was disappointingly high. The deaths from pneumonia and haemorrhagic
disease might be considered as preventable, but though methods of diagnosis and
treatment are improving they are not always effective. For the fourth year in
succession no mother died from conditions associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
The incidence of infectious disease generally was low throughout the year. The
epidemic of 'Asian' influenza reached the Borough towards the end of October.
Fortunately it was of short duration and not very virulent. The attendance at
schools fell to low levels, but it was not possible to assess how much this was due
to the disease itself or to precautionary keeping of children at home. The numbers
of children vaccinated against smallpox and inoculated against diphtheria and whooping
cough were smaller than in 1956 There has been no smallpox in the Borough since
1930, no death from whooping cough since 1947 and no case of diphtheria since 1950,
so propaganda to prevent parents acquiring a false sense of security is difficult.
During the year a start was made in the protection of children against poliomyelitis.
The response of parents to this offer of protection was smaller than expected, and the
progress of the scheme was severely handicapped by difficulties in the production of
the vaccine. Deaths from tuberculosis were the lowest in the Borough records.
The public health inspectors continued their efforts to raise the standard of
food hygiene. The Food Hygiene Regulations, by providing an enforceable standard,
have proved of value and the response of the trade in remedying contraventions has
been good. The incidence of notified food poisoning was small but the potential
dangers are ever present. Improvements in premises alone will not give safety and
the most important factor is good hygienic habits by persons engaged in handling food.
It is right that the public should demand high standards in food premises, but it
should not be a one-way traffic. Customers must apply the same standards to themselves
and education on food and personal hygiene should begin in the home.
Attention continued to be given to unfit houses and the Borough's first Clearance
Order (25 houses) was made. A considerable volume of work had to be undertaken
in regard to 'certificates of disrepair' arising out of new housing legislation.
The delay in the rehousing of the occupants of houses declared unfit by the Council
is a matter of some concern.
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