[Report 1939] / Medical Officer of Health, Wayland R.D.C.

  • Wayland (England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1939
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1939] / Medical Officer of Health, Wayland R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    WAYLAITD RURAL DISTRICT COUIVTCIL» Interim Report for the year ending: ♦ Decem'ber 31st 1939* “by the I.'Iedlcal Officer of Health. To the Chairman and Hemhers of the District Councilo Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honour to submit an Interim Report on the Health of the District for the year 1939. The year ending 31st December, I939 can scarcely be consid¬ ered a normal health year, from a Local Government point of vie\7, months Vie were under war conditions for four/of it, and this Council has had to undertake and develop fresh activities, arising out of the new conditions, and to allow to lapse for a time, other activities which could not be carried out by a community during a state of war. An influx of ne\7 population took place as part of the London Evacuation Scheme, and at one time v/e had 2300 fresh people to accoiTBTiodate and cator for. These people brought to the area sDoe infectious diseases mainly in the form of skin affections and infestation wh:.cii were dealt with, but there was no increase in the incidence of serious infections illness - in fact a decrease took place - there being 21 cases of Scarlet Fever in the year ending 31st December, 1939 us against 26 for the previous year. There was only one case of diphtheria during the whole year, I am of opinion that, talcing into consideration the accommodation available and the number of Evacuees received into the area, our record of -^comparative freedom from infectious illness, is a matter for congrat¬ ulation. The promptitude of the service given by the New Isolation Hospital has been of great help to me, and I have much appreciated the co-operation and help of the prectitioners in the area, in the prompt notification of cases, and in their courteous replies to queries. A considerable strain has been throv/n on the Inspectorial Staff by war conditionsf A.R.P, , Evacuees, and aiHitional meat inspec¬ tion work have claimed much of their time, but I can assure this Council that no essential Sanitary Service has been neglected, in spite of their added duties. Our new water supply undertaking has had to progress more slowly than it would have done under peace conditions, but it is proceeding and will, I hope, continue and gain speed, I think I may congratulate this Council on a successful year in spite of adverse conditions, and its members and officers, on their willingness to shoulder a multitude of new difficulties and responsibilities without grudge or grumble, I have the honour to be, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, iiedical Officer of Health, 9th September, 1940.