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5
anand of efficiency if the present position is to be maintained. The
greatest obstacles to further progress and to a proper valuation of
the Health services which the Corporation maintains is lack of
knowledge of what is actually done and the ends aimed at. It
is better, and in the end more economical, to prevent than to
cure. This object must always be kept in mind. It will
be fatal to success if the more spectacular curative functions,
which have been transferred to Health Authorities under the Local
Government Act, are allowed to overshadow the original function
prevention.
It is hoped that a perusal of the contents of this report will
show how thoroughly the Corporation endeavours to safeguard
the health of its citizens. For the full attainment of success, the
cooperation of the citizens themselves is a necessity. By no means
all the activities undertaken are necessitated by law, but experience
and common-sense have shown they have, nevertheless, their
component parts to play in making an effective whole.
I wish to tender my thanks to the Chairmen and Members
of the Public Health Committee, the Mental Deficiency Committee,
the Housing Committee, and the various Sub-Committees,
for the sympathetic consideration they have given to any
proposals submitted to them, and for the interest they have taken
in the work of the department.
All the staff of the department have carried out their duties
a satisfactory manner, and I would like to place before the
committee my indebtedness to them for the way in which the
work has been done and for their loyalty to me during the year.
I am,
Yours faithfully,
OSCAR M. HOLDEN,
Medlical Officer of Health