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tremendous interest which the Council took in this Department in
1919, an interest which has been unremitting ever since.
I cannot close this survey without referring to my staff. Ever
since my appointment I have been singularly fortunate in having
subordinates who were interested in their work and most helpful to
me. Two members, I am glad to say, are still here with us, who
were here at the time I took up my duties, namely Messrs. Toogood
and Delacour, but there are two other members, Messrs. Scott and
Bush, who were appointed in the same year as myself, and Mr.
Hoskins very shortly after, who, I am pleased to state, are still
with us.
I have already mentioned that the Council, especially since
the War period, has displayed great interest in the work of the
Department, but in concluding I would like to say that I have
always been most fortunate in my Public Health and Maternity
and Child Welfare Committees and their Chairmen. The Department
has frequently been criticized on the Council, but there is one
thing I can say about my Chairmen, and that is that they have
never failed to back their Committees before the Council, and
I cannot recall a single instance at which the Chairmen and myself
had any serious difference. This cannot always be said by
Medical Officers of Health at the end of their careers, and I have
only one consolation in leaving, and that is at the time of writing
the Council has decided to appoint Dr. D. M. Connan as my
successor, for I know that the Department will continue to make
good progress in his hands.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
R. KING BROWN