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11
of the sick and ailing and little, if anything at all, is planned for
the comfort and well-being of the normal burgesses and especially
the children and young persons.
This vital factor, in my opinion, is the one which should never
be lost sight of in the battle against juvenile delinquency now being
joined between the slowly mobilising forces of the local authority
and the recalcitrant youngsters who have never known real homes.
After all, the home should be the abiding bastion against numerous
individual and social evils, but its atmosphere must be clean,
culturally wholesome and satisfying and, above all, peace and love
must reign therein and radiate from the parents to the hearts and
minds of the children.
Only by education in the home will this victory be won : by
the Health Department through its Health Visitors and Mental
Health services closing their ranks with all the moral and educational
forces available, all directing their concerted effort towards
the achievement of health, peace and joy in the home.
Comparison with previous reports gives an indication of the
progress attained in recent years and the use made of the various
new services. In this, my final report as Medical Officer of Health,
I am happy to think that the Council's endeavours over many years
have been extolled by the Regional Hospital Board and by Hospital
Management Committees and that hospital and other services
which have now passed to them have elicited such praise and •
admiration.
It is with deep regret that I record the death of Mr. ReeveFlaxman,
M.R.C.S. Eng., L.R.C.P., Ophthalmic Specialist to the
Education Committee for over twenty years. An appreciation of
his eminent; services is contained in the school report.
Reference must also be made to the long and meritorious service
of Dr. Jessie A. MacLaren, Assistant Medical Officer for Maternity
and Child Welfare, and Mrs. A. A. Woodman, M.B.E., Superintendent
Health Visitor, who, in the course of the year, retired on
superannuation.
I desire to record my sincere regard for my deputy and
successor, Dr. J. S. Coleman, and for Mr. T. B. Clark, Chief
Administrative Clerk. I am very appreciative of the loyal and
devoted service of all sections of the Health and School Medical