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12
Our expenditure has advanced with the increased
work encountered during the year, but unlike other
services, public health requires little money from capital.
There is much still to be accomplished in small maters,
such as improvement in the distribution of milk, the
wrapping of bread and the hygienic handling of other
food-stuffs. There is, too, the gross overcrowding in rail
transport and the consequent spreading of catarrhal
infections. I believe the standard of living of the poorer
sections of the community is improving and there is a
greater knowledge and practice of the things that make
for health and a happy and contented people.
The following vital statistics of the year will be of
interest, the figures in parenthesis being the corresponding
ones of the previous year (1937): —
Death Rate 9.5 (9.9)
Birth Rate 13.1 (13.2)
Infant Mortality Rate 49 (47)
Maternal Mortality Rate 3.69 (3.78)
Scarlet Fever 1.19 (1.71)
Diphtheria 0.32 (0.69)
I am not sure that I can look back on 1938 as a
successful year of Public Health work; our energy and
efforts have been side-tracked from their main objective
in order that the Civil Defence may be strengthened.so
that we may continue to enjoy our heritage of individual
independence.
Again I convey to the Committee my grateful
appreciation of their help to me and the staff; and to
the staff for their very loyal application to their multiple
duties.
I am,
Madam Mayor, Madam and Gentlemen
Your obedient servant,
K. E. TAPPER,
Medical Officer of Health
July, 1938.