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WANSTEAD AND WOODFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL.
To THE MAYOR, THE ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS,
BOROUGH OF WAN STEAD AND WOODFORD.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the Health Services
in the Borough for the year 1949. Included in the report are some details
of the personal health services under Part III of the National Health Service
administered by the Essex County Council and decentralised to the
Forest Health Area. In my capacity as Area Medical Officer of the Forest
health Area I am in the fortunate position of being in control of both
Personal and environmental health services as they affect the Borough.
Infectious Disease
During the year the incidence of infectious disease remained low.
Mention must be made of the outbreak of poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis)
which was prevalent throughout the country during the latter half of the
year. The number of cases in the Borough was nine, comparing favourably
with the incidence of this disease in adjacent areas. Luckily no case proved
fastal; at the end of the year all cases were either symptom free or progressing
satisfactorily. It is gratifying to note that, for the first time on record,
case of diphtheria occurred during the year, a tribute to the success
of our immunisation campaign. There were fifty-one cases of scarlet fever
compared with fifty during the previous year; all were of a mild type.
here was an increase in the number of cases of measles notified, 800 as
compared with 451 in 1948. 167 cases of whooping cough were notified as
compared with 242 during the previous year.
VITAL Statistics
The Birth Rate per thousand of the estimated population showed a
decrease to 13.5 as compared with 16.0 in 1948. The Death Rate, similarly
PART III Health Services
Midwifery: — The number of domiciliary cases attended by Municipal
Midwives was 253 of which 205 received gas and air analgesia. All midwives
working in the Borough are trained in the use of this form of anaesthesia
Possess the necessary apparatus.
Child Welfare Services: — The six welfare centres in the Borough
continued to be well attended. 6,150 visits were made to homes by Health
Visitors in respect of children under the age of five years.
Domestic Help Service:— This very popular service continued to
expand. Help was provided in 181 cases, a total of 19,365 hours being
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