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7
the school teachers. Cases occur daily which emphasise more
and more the necessity for the control and examination of
school children (as far as infectious disease is concerned) being
in the hands of the local sanitary authority.
By notifications from the head teachers of schools we
received information of 383 cases of Measles, compared with
1,174 in 1908, and these figures may be considered very favourable.
Measles, at times, proves exceedingly disastrous to young
lives, and no opportunity is lost, when signs of increased
prevalence are noted, of excluding from school all children
under the age of five.
The compulsory notification of all Poor Law Cases of
Phthisis was established under the provisions of the Public
Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1908, and beneficial results
may be expected from the same.
Towards the end of the year the Notification of Births
Act, 1907, was declared to be in operation within the Borough,
and our opportunities of good work in relation to infants will be
increased by the powers conferred by the Act, more particularly
in the poorer parts of the Borough. I recommend for the
consideration of your Council the question of appointing women
health visitors to carry out the work which devolves upon the
department under the Act.
In addition to other work your women Inspectors have
devoted much time to the inspection of workrooms, workplaces,
and laundries in the Borough. During recent years the conditions
under which women work have been much improved.
Special legislative power is much needed to prevent the use of
underground rooms as workrooms or workplaces.
With regard to schools, it is a curious anomaly that while
the children of the poorer sections of the community are well