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5
house flies which existed during the summer, with their opportunities
for spreading infection, cannot be ignored. Gastro Enteritis was
rife in the old days of horse drawn traffic and it is felt that the
conditions suitable for fly breeding which the stables fostered in the
past, are reproduced by the present day habit of keeping chicken
and rabbits in so many small back gardens.
A table showing the causes of infantile mortality during the year
is included in the report. Gastro Enteritis, congenital defects and
prematurity, account for the bulk of the deaths. It will be noticed
that all but one of the deaths from Gastro Enteritis occurred after
one month of life. During the first month of life, the great majority
of babies are breast/ fed, when the liability to infection is reduced
to a minimum.
The Civil Defence Casualty Service continued to be administered
from the Public Health Department, and the personnel carried out
their duties during the year in a very satisfactory manner.
Your Obedient Servants,
G. E. B. PAYNE,
E. MADELEY.