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" Now join our hands, and with our hands our hearts,
That no dissension kinder government."
—Shakespeare's " King Henry VI."
Town Hall,
Edmonton, N. 9.
To the Chairman and Members of the
Edmonton Council.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I herewith present my 14th Report on the health and sanitary circumstances
of this urban district. It refers to the year 1919.
In my preface to the Report for 1918, I said: " In justice to the work and
in view of the strain on my health thereby involved, I cannot continue this
overwork indefinitely." This statement was fulfilled. The year 1920 has been a
tragic one for me. Overworked, underpaid, and rudely treated, I staggered along
until on February 10th, I was compelled to seek a respite owing to a serious
breakdown in health, and was unable to resume duty for nearly 3 months, viz.,
on April 29th. I was then faced with the huge accumulation of business and
official correspondence for a quarter of a year, besides keeping up with current
affairs. This accounts mainly for the late appearance of this Report, which no
one regrets more than myself. The MSS. was ready on November 3rd, but
the printing was held up for 3 weeks longer, owing to the embarrassing action of
a row of critics -if two persons can be said to make a row.
Since December, 1919, I have added to my responsibilities the supervision of
Municipal Milk Supplies and the School Clinic, two branches of work which keep
increasing in importance and popularity.
However, in April, 1920, a Council was established, which has displayed the
intention to treat me with the consideration and courtesy which your Principal
Medical Officer has a right to expect. You have already done your utmost to
rectify the great mistake of your predecessors as regards the post of Supervisor
of the Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, for which I herewith tender you my
grateful thanks.
AVith your continued goodwill and support we can cordially co-operate in
improving the efficiency of the public health and school medical services of