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97
myself performing every duty involved, and I have taken steps so to place
myself in contact with the social agencies of the district as to utilize these
agencies as an intelligence department and as a channel through which Public
Health ideas may permeate the whole Borough. It is impossible to speak too
cordially of the kind co-operation of these agencies with our work.
The work in connection with the Notification of Consumption has occupied
most of my time and attention. The compulsory notification of Hospital and
Dispensary cases came into force in May, 1911, and added considerably to the
number of cases to be dealt with. The promotion of further means of dealing
with the cases has also taken much time and the necessary assistance given in
organising allied health movements has also occupied me. This organising and
co-ordinating work is absolutely necessary if the best use is to be made of
all the local resources, and in the face of problems so great and so important
no local resourses can rightly be neglected. When the projected Tuberculosis
Dispensary is fully at work it may be possible to assign some of the work now
in my hands to its staff, and thus to leave me free to return to the work of
industrial inspection.
I have not so far asked your permission to suggest the need of further paid
assistance as much of the work in hand would be difficult to delegate from
its personal nature, and as our scanty office accommodation also complicates
the question ; but unless some such agency as the Tuberculosis Dispensary
comes into being, it may be necessary to point out that the work in hand is
beyond the possibilities of any one officer. The voluntary visitors give excellent
and devoted help, but they only extend the work and do not in any way
relieve the responsible officers, to whose labours they are rather an addition than
a mitigation.
A separate report upon the work of the year in relation to Consumption is
submitted to you.
A table relating to industrial work is appended.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
M. E. Bibby,
Sanitary Inspector of Workshops.