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80
start this method. This will save many delays in removal, especially out of
office hours. When a medical man meets with a case, he telephones Dr. Cook
to send for it, and an ambulance with a nurse therein is at the door in half-anhour
or less.
At present Mr. Madle has to be on duty every week-end and public holiday,
whoever else is nominally on duty, because neither Messrs. Winter, Nixon
or Huckle can drive our motor ambulance.
In Conclusion.
This plan of reconstruction is a drastic change, I admit, from the oldfashioned
methods, and full of detail. Therefore, I do not propose that your
Committee should accept it on short acquaintance, but I would advise the
reference of it for discussion in detail between myself and a small sub-committee,
who can report thereon to the next or an early meeting of the Public
Health Committee.
I am confident that my Department, re-organised oil these up-to-date
lines, and with only the addition of two (the Chief Clerk and an office boy)
to my present male staff, will prove equal to all reasonable demands on its
efficiency and energy, and will fully justify its existence.
On me, your Senior Medical Officer of Health, will fall a greater responsibility
as administrator, but unification of control is essential. To use a naval
analogy—no ship can run a good and true course with more than one captain
aboard. Under Providence I was placed in that position bv the Edmonton
Council in 1906. I shall feel fortified and encouraged to do my best for
the inhabitants of Edmonton, if my Councillors will always afford me their
hearty sympathy and support.
I am, Mrs. Benjafield and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
SIDNEY C. LAWRENCE,
Medical Officer of Health