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4
HEALTH SERVICES.
In the first half of the year, despite the fact that war was
felt to be impending, the work of the public health department
continued normally, excepting that some preparations were made
for the coming into operation of the national scheme of Air Raid
Precautions. On the outbreak of war, however, there was considerable
interruption of the routine for most members of the staff
had to turn their attention to work of an entirely different character
in the organization of Air Raid Precautions, an overwhelming task
but willingly undertaken by all in their anxiety for the national
welfare. When one looks back on those early months of the war
one is astonished, not at the mistakes that were made or at the
omissions that occurred, but at what was actually accomplished
in giving effect to an organization which was new and at the
same time entirely foreign to that in which all previously took part.
That is a fact which deserves recognition and which prompts me
to take the opportunity here of expressing sincere appreciation
of the work of the whole staff during a very difficult and anxious
period.
In this report only essential facts are quoted, mostly in tabular
form without comment, and in this manner chiefly for future
leference. Where descriptions of the health services would be a
mere repetition of previous reports they have been rigorously
excluded.