View report page

of diseases are not being made as statutorily required. Apart from
the fact that this invalidates important statistics, some considerable
embarrassment is at times caused to the Public Health Department
by lack of full information particularly as to the prevalence of infectious
diseases. An appeal is made to all on whom the duty of
notification devolves to be more meticulous in the carrying out of
this duty.
Food and Drugs inspections have revealed a high standard of
purity generally but also emphasize the necessity of inspections
and analyses being performed. The outbreak of food poisoning
due to contaminated cheese is worthy of special note.
No apology is made for once again referring to the problem of
housing to which more detailed attention is likely to be attached
next year when the Housing Survey will be completed. Special
cases have been brought to the attention of the Committee from
time to time and have been sympathetically dealt with within the
available resources—which are still pitifully inadequate.
Lastly—Rodent Control. This appears to be just about keeping
infestation in check but no conviction is felt that any appreciable
diminution of the present state of the problem is now being made.
In conclusion, my sincere thanks to all members of my staff
for their work during a fairly heavy year—and to the Chief Officers
and staff of other departments of the Council for their help and
co-operation.
C. M. SCOTT,
Medical Officer of Health.
4