View report page

REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER of HEALTH.
Clattern House,
Kingston-upon-Thames,
January, 1897.
Gentlemen,
In presenting my fourth annual report I shall
take the opportunity of referring to certain matters
bearing directly, and indirectly, upon public health
which are now being discussed in scientific circles,
and to which it is my duty, as your Medical Officer,
to call your attention.
The great progress that has been made in
sanitation tends to bring forward the idea that all
has been done that can be done. For the last
four years the average death rate is 15.6, which at
first sight seems highly satisfactory, being lower
than the rate for the country districts of England
and Wales 1885-94, but when compared with the
County of Surrey the satisfaction is lessened, for it
is above the average for the county. Surrey is the
third healthiest county in England, and it behoves
us to see that as the chief town we take a good
place in the health returns. I do not think there