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33
Although the death rate of 9.3 is the lowest ever recorded
In Bromley, it must be remembered also that the general
death rate in England and Wales was lower than that of any
other year on record.
Our chief gains were the lower mortalities from Diarrhœa
and Whooping Cough and the absence of any mortality
from Measles, while the chief loss was in the higher mortality
from Diphtheria.
But the death rate is not absolutely a criterion as to the
general health of a district.
There can be no doubt that the disease rate as shown by
the Notification of Infectious Diseases was much higher
than usual, the most unsatisfactory items being the increased
number of cases of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria. Although
by the adoption of stricter preventive measures in checking
the spread of these diseases by school influence we may hope
to show an improvement in our disease rate, we can hardly
look for a much lower death rate than that recorded in 1905.
The work of Mr. Butler, your Sanitary Inspector, and his
assistants, so far as it deals with the work under my supervision,
has been most thoroughly and ably carried out.
Appended is the report of the Sanitary Inspector showing
in detail the sanitary work executed during the year.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
ARTHUR F. G. CODD,
Medical Officer of Health.