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138
Particulars of this ambulance were given in my Annual
Report, 1903, page 78. Sutton Messent, Esq., 234, Burrage
Road, is acting as Hon. Secretary for the Ambulance.
An ambulance for non-infectious illness can now be obtained
from the ambulance station of the Asylums Board on
payment of 5s., but in spite of this there seems little diminution
in the use of the Woolwich Ambulance.
NATIONAL INSURANCE ACT.
55. Last year was the first during the whole of whichl
the Insurance Act was in force. This Act was intended to
be a great measure for promoting the Public Health. It
attempted to do this in various ways:—(1) By providing!
medical treatment for all insured persons, and so promoting1
their early recovery; (2) By giving a maternity grant which
enables mothers to obtain skilled attendance in their confinements;
(3) By making special provision for treating!
tuberculosis; (4) By allowing the cost of excessive sickness
to be surcharged on the person or Municipal Authority]
responsible.
Your Medical Officer of Health was nominated as a member
of the District Insurance Committee, and has attended all the
meetings of that Committee, and advised the Chairman on
many matters affecting the public health. The part of the Act
dealing with tuberculosis has very greatly added to the work
of the Public Health Department. The Medical Officer of
Health is Chairman of the Tuberculosis Dispensary Executive
Committee. His assistance is continually sought for obtaining
sanatorium benefit. Records of all cases going to
and returning from sanatoria are kept in the Department,
and cases returning are visited by the Health Visitor with
a view to after care.