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having dropped from 11,004 in 1938 to 1,048 in 1940. The
ancillary services, although greatly reduced in volume, have
been continued: dental treatment, nursing assistance, home
helps, maternity outfits, milk grants. There were no
maternal deaths, and a much reduced incidence of puerperal
fever, puerperal pyrexia and ophthalmia neonatorum.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
The continued fall in the incidence of infectious
disease since the war began is no doubt mainly attributable
to the evacuation of the children to less vulnerable areas,
as the diseases affecting adults show nothing like the same
reduction. Diphtheria fell further from 138 to 57 cases,
Scarlet fever 219 to 82, Erysipelas from 54 to 37, and
Pneumonia from 90 to 59. The only diseases showing any
increase were Cerebro Spinal Fever from 2 to 22 cases and
Measles rising from 16 to 187 cases. Measles (187) and
Whooping cough (10) have changed places again in their
respective number of cases, but these figures, even allowing
for the smaller population of children, are low compared with
pre-war experience. It is less satisfactory to record that
82 new cases of Tuberculosis were notified during the year.
This underlines the sound remarks of Dr. H.T. Howell, the
Clinical Tuberculosis Officer, in his report, with regard to
the special difficulties of the tuberculous during wartime
arising from defective blackout ventilation, inadequate or
unsuitable diet, insufficient and disturbed rest and worry.
FOOD.
Fewer than the usual number of samples were taken during
the year, as was indeed inevitable, having regard to the extra
duties put upon the Food Inspectors. Nevertheless, the
substantial total of 557 samples was obtained, and the amount
of adulteration was slightly less than the pre-war average.
The inspection of food premises continued, with a view to the
maintenance of cleanly and wholesome conditions, with the same
efficiency as before the war, and only slightly less in the
volume of visits. Owing to the Government control of the
meat trade, the remaining slaughterhouse in the Borough was
not used.

Every branch of sanitary administration has been maintained
and, having regard to the Civil Defence duties also performed
by the inspectors, the figures are very creditable.