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in the previous year, and is largely due to frequent
inspections of meat and other food-stuffs. I may here
repeat in connection with the latter, what I have year
by year stated, that it is very essential and needful
whenever practicable to pasteurise, sterilize, or even
bring for a single moment to the boiling point all milk
before its use as food. By such processes the bacilli
of tubercle, diphtheria, enteric fever, etc., are rendered
inert, and the consumer of the milk is proportionately
guarded against disease.
I have regularly carried out my quarterly visits to
the numerous elementary schools of the Council, and
have reason to consider them generally in a satisfactory
hygienic state. It has been unnecessary to resort to
any school closure during the year. The "medical
inspection of school children" has been most carefully
and efficiently performed under the able supervision
of Dr. Arthur and Miss Gough, and the results will be
embodied in a separate report to the Education
Committee.
Public Works.
On the subject of public works under the Borough
Surveyor's administration, it is my custom to make a
few remarks, which is always a pleasing duty, because
the results shown year by year are so successful and
generally satisfactory in connection with this important
matter. As usual, when my duties bring me into
relation with the Borough Surveyor and his department,
I continue to derive every assistance and information.
I have paid occasional visits to the Northern
and Southern Works, which are conducted in a highly
efficient method, and one of the chief features of the
year has been the clarification of the bacteria beds.
Probably in no sanitary district in the country has the
system of bacterial purification been so severely and
completely tested as in this borough, one set of beds
having been worked for nearly eight continuous years.
The time, however, arrived when, in the opinion of
the Borough Surveyor and myself, these beds required
renewal, and the process has been duly carried out at