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encouraging, and the immunity conferred is of at least two
years duration. Most of the large fever hospitals have
adopted it for their medical and nursing staff, and certain local
authorities and large institutions have made practical use of it,
particularly in children, with very encouraging results. Time
is too short to permit statistics being of value, but the results
obtained in certain areas seem to justify its use by local
authorities in general. In the case of scarlet fever, the
research work is not so complete, and it is only in the last
two years that the Dicks in America have evolved a practical
method of immunisation. The technique is practically
similar to that already mentioned in diphtheria, the test in
this case being termed the Dick test after the name of its
authors. It has been tried on a small scale, chiefly in fever
hospitals, with satisfactory results, but a practical estimate
of its value as a universal protective measure cannot yet be
made. Still more recent trials have been made of simultaneous
inoculations for scarlet fever and diphtheria, and, if these
are successful, immunity from both diseases would be conferred
by a simple series of inoculations—a matter of very
practical importance to the community.
Sanitary administration has continued much on the same
lines as in previous years. The housing shortage is still
the chief problem in this Borough, and so long as this shortage
continues it is impossible to obtain the full benefit of the work
of the Sanitary Inspectors in improving the condition of the
existing houses. It has not been possible, for example, to
make closing orders on some houses requiring such procedure,
and we have had to be content with palliative measures
because any other action would render subsequent proceedings
more difficult. Overcrowding appears to be slightly less than
it was, but many families are still living under unsatisfactory
conditions.