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77
who comprise that small proportion are just as much
in need of help as they would be if they were more numerous.
Another thing is that in Public Health work it is necessary to
take long views. The full benefit of Public Health measures
is not always immediately apparent. For example, we are
now reaping the benefit, in lessened incidence of Typhoid
Fever and infantile diarrhœa, of an improvement in general
sanitary conditions effected many years ago. These diseases
did not disappear as soon as the process of improvement was
instituted. But after some years of improved conditions
they began steadily to decline and that decline has continued.
So it will be, we hope, with the more recent developments
of Public Health work such as the Institution of the
School Medical Service. More or less trifling complaints in
childhood may be the cause of serious illness in later life and
it is hoped that as a result of our attention to the health of
the school children of the present day the adults of the next
generation will be much more free not only from fatal and disabling
diseases such as Heart Disease and Tuberculosis, but
also from such diseases as chronic rheumatism which, though
not so serious, yet cause a great amount of suffering and disability
in the later years of life.
Another point which I should like to emphasise is one
which is of special interest to an Education Committee, namely
the educational aspect of the work. The gradual education
of the Public in the importance of attention to health and in
the means of maintaining health, which is undoubtedly taking
place, is probably of even more value than the benefits conferred
on the individual children. I think it may be claimed
that the School Medical Service is playing an important part
in this process.
I have the honour to be,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
t. s. Mcintosh,
School Medical Officer.