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9
must make his own decision, but at least it would seem to be prudent
to practise moderation in this habit.
Those interested in the vital statistics for the year, will find these
recorded in the body and appendix of this report, and my only
comment here will be that they continue to give grounds for
satisfaction.
This introductory letter would be incomplete without mention of
the many services provided by voluntary agencies, which cover a wide
field of health and welfare, and as few are in a better position to see
the full measure of their work, I am glad to have this opportunity of
expressing my appreciation of the most valuable services they are
rendering.
This has also been a year of pleasant relationship with my colleagues
in the hospital and general practitioner services, and I would
like to express my gratitude to them for their friendly collaboration,
despite the many other calls on their time.
I must now mention my own staff, who have all worked so well
under the supervision of Mr. Crowe, who has continued to devote his
time and energy so unsparingly to the work of the department. I am
greatly indebted to him for the smooth running of the Public Health
Service in Orpington, and am glad of this opportunity of expressing
my grateful thanks. One other staff matter to which I must refer was
the arrival early in the year of a new Deputy Medical Officer of
Health, Dr. A. J. I. Kelynack, who by his keenness and enthusiasm
rapidly established himself as a very valuable member of the staff, and
to him also I am glad to express my most sincere thanks.
There finally remains for me the very pleasant task of thanking
the Committee for their support and encouragement, which has been
such a great help to me during my first year as your Medical Officer
of Health.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
H. B. C. CARTER-LOCKE,
Medical Officer of Health.
May, 1956.