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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 and sanitary
circumstances of the Borough of Heston and Isleworth for the year 1964. The
report has been prepared on the lines suggested by the Ministry of Health and
for convenience the larger statistical tables are grouped together at the end
of the Report.
The birth rate shows no change but continues below the national rate.
The number of illegitimate births showed a further rise but the still-birth
rate was the lowest in the Borough records.
The death rate was a little lower than in the previous year but the
principal causes of death were unchanged There were nine fewer deaths from
cancer of the lungs but variations from year to year are to be expected. While
a reduction in any year is welcome it is the trend over a period of years which
gives the truer picture. Deaths from tuberculosis were the lowest on record
and all were in persons aged 65 years and over - a marked change from the
earlier part of the century. The low infant mortality rate of last year was not
maintained. Most of the deaths occurred in the first few weeks of life and this
hard core of infant deaths remains a challenge to all concerned.
Apart from some increase in Scarlet fever, the Borough was comparatively
free of infectious diseases during the year. It should be noted that more than
half of the new cases of tuberculosis notified were in persons aged 45 years
and over. Contrary to the position years ago, persons in the second half of
life rather than adolescents and young adults are those who may be etransmitting
infection. Chronic cough in this older group should not be dismissed as due to
smoking or bronchitis, and the possibility of tuberculosis should always be
considered. It continues to be a matter of regret that the proportion of children
whose parents present them for protection against infectious diseases is too
low. The picture of parents yelling for 'someone' to do 'something' should an
outbreak arise is always in the mind of the Department.
The rainfall during the year was low - 21.0 inches compared with an
average of 24.46 inches in the previous five years. While a low rainfall may be
welcome from some points of view it should be remembered that rain is the source
of our water supply and that a dry year may be followed by restrictions in the
use of water.
Steady progress has been maintained in the implementation of the Clean
Air Act and nine Smoke Control Orders are now in operation. The widening of the
range of approved appliances has provided more alternatives to the open fire.
The availability of smokeless fuels for open fires is in some doubt and people
are encouraged to install other appliances. Such appliances are more costly
than open fires, and in future Smoke Control Orders the expenditure on grants
may be higher.
Attention to unfit houses continued throughout the year. Many houses,
previously owned for investment purposes and let to tenants, have in recent
years become owner occupied. Considerable effort and enterprise has been shown
by the new owners, in minor repair, improvement and decoration which may
temporarily hide the more serious structural faults but does little to extend
the remaining useful life of such dwellings. As yet houses in multiple occupation
are not a serious problem in the Borough, Constant watch is kept for this type
of premises and, where necessary, action taken to secure that the amenities
available are adequate for the number of persons in the house. In this type
of house the occupants tend to change frequently and repeated visits, often
outside usual working hours, may be necessary.
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