View report page

7
environment, in which the human community lives, changes. Over the last
hundred years the figures quoted above indicate clearly what improvements
have been achieved. It is likely, however, that the law of diminishing
returns is as true in the field of public health as it is in the economic
and industrial spheres, and that as successes are achieved, the efforts
needed to achieve still further successes will be proportionately much
greater. In other words, although considerable advances in medical
knowledge, together with legal enactments and social advancement,
have been necessary to achieve the results of the past hundred years,
the further efforts needed to reduce or abolish the newer problems
which are arising may be even greater. While it can be said that
Public health committees and those who serve them can look back over
the past with a sense of not inconsiderable achievement, the progress
to be made in coming years, although likely to be less spectacular
than in the past, will undoubtedly provide scope for every effort and
ability
Once again, I should like to express my thanks for the help I and
the Department have received during the year. Again, Miss E. A. Coles,
J.P., Chairman of the Health Committee, has given her every help and
guidance, and the various Committees with which the Department is
associated, particularly the Health Committee and the Housing Committee,
have accorded us their usual support in the many matters
which we brought before them. The Chief Officers of the Council and
their Departments have again been most helpful, and I am very grateful
to them. Finally, I should like to thank all members of the staff of the
Health Department, headed by the Chief Public Health Inspector, Mr.
Weeks, in all grades and sections, for the excellent and efficient work
they have carried out during the year, and again I would like to thank
my colleague, Dr. Garland, for the great help he has been to me.
I have the honour to be, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. TUDOR LEWIS,
Medical Officer of Health.
August, 1957.