View report page

28
C. ADMINISTRATION.
I.—GENERAL.
Staff of the Department.—Mr. Anthony, one of the District Sanitary Inspectors, was
given extended leave of absence, on account of sickness, in October of last year and Miss
Whitty, one of the Health Visitors, resigned her appointment in August. Mr. Heeley
commenced duty as one of the Inspectors of Houses let in Lodgings, on February 1st., via
Mr. Wingfield resigned and Mr. Binns began temporary duty as a District Inspector on
November 6th. Miss Mann took up work as Health Visitor (vice Miss Durant) on March 1st
and Miss Newhall, on December 30th.
Prevention of Infectious Disease.—A numerical record of this work will be found
in Table XX. There were fewer visits of inquiry during the year, owing in part to the
absence of any epidemic of measles and in part to the larger proportion of cases of tuberculosis
visited by the Staffs of the Dispensaries. During 1909-13 these visits averaged 10,662 a year
and during 1914-18, 10,876, as compared with 6,835 last year.
The admissions to hospital numbered 1,397 last year—cases of tuberculosis not being
included—more than double the annual average for 1914-18.
Disinfection.—The total number of rooms disinfected during the year, as shown in Table
XX, was notably smaller than the totals for the other years mentioned in the Table, but the
figures are not strictly comparable owing to changes which have been made in practice.
There was a slight increase in the weight of bedding, etc. removed by the Contractor for
disinfection—in round figures from 45 to 51 tons—although there has been a careful scrutiny
of the orders for disinfection. During 1914-18 the cost of this work averaged £21 4s. per ton,
as compared with £41 5s. during the past year, Great as has been the increase, it is more
than doubtful whether the Council could do the work, including the remaking of beds, etc., by
direct labour at a lower, or even the same, rate.
Bacteriological Work.—Last year 977 specimens were sent to the Lister Institute for
examination, as compared with 1,600 in 1920, 635 in 1919 and an annual average of 676 during
1914-18. As will be seen from Table XXI, the fall in the total for last year was
entirely under diphtheria. The percentages of positive results are set out below.

Schools.—Analyses of the reasons for exclusion from the Public Elementary Schools, as
disclosed by the "Forms 84" received from the teachers, will be found in Tables XXII and
XXIIa, and a comparison of the ratios per 1,000 places provided in the two groups of Provided
and Non-provided Schools, will be found in Table XXIII. The most striking changes to be
noted in the last Table are those under measles and chickenpox.
"Sore Throats."—While this designation may mean anything—often nothing of importance
from a public health point of view—it is a great gain as regards the work of prevention of
disease that teachers watch for these cases and report them freely. Every child is visited and
when deemed necessary the parents are urged to seek medical advice. When such advice is
not taken the School Medical Officer is informed with a view to the child being examined by
the School Medical Staff before being allowed to resume attendance at school.
The ratios given in Table XXIII. suggest that a closer supervision is kept in the Provided
Schools.
Ringworm.—In the Provided Schools there was a reduction of nearly 50 per cent. last year
as compared with 1919-20, last year.s ratio being also some 30 per cent. below the average for
1914-18. In the Non-provided Schools the changes are insignificant, but the disorder
appears to be less prevalent in these than in the Provided Schools.