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TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit herewith a report on the work of the Public
Health Department during 1938.
The statistics are again favourable—a low death rate, a low
maternal mortality rate, an infantile mortality rate of only 40,
a diphtheria incidence rate of only one-third, and a diphtheria
death rate only one-seventh of those relating to England and Wales.
Legislation requiring the compulsory pasteurisation of milk—
at least in urban areas—and specifying chemical and bacteriological
standards for ice cream is still awaited.
The routine work of the Department again increased, and
acknowledgment must be made of the good work of the staff.
I am again indebted to my colleagues in other Departments
for those sections of the report on matters with which they have
dealt.
I also wish to acknowledge the consideration received from
your Committee and your Chairman.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
A. T. W. POWELL,
Medical Officer of Health.