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TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF
THE HEALTH COMMITTEE
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present herewith a report on your Health Services
during 1946.
The vital statistics are good and of the infections diphtheria,
whooping cough and enteritis were again low in incidence. Good
progress continued with protection against diphtheria, but the great
need now is to concentrate on the pre-school child.
Two small series of cases of the enteric group stress the need
for constant vigilance in regard to the standards of cleanliness of
food production. This is especially so in view of the number of
carriers in the community. More education is urgently necessary
in regard to habits of personal deanliness. The fulfilment of your
recommendation for free public lavatory facilities is to be hoped
for.
The grave housing shortage continued to produce some deplorable
examples and gave rise to increased correspondence and visits
in order to decide which cases should be the subject of priority
on medical grounds.
The shortage of staff at the Infectious Diseases Hospital
continued to cause anxiety.
The Municipal Dental Service made good progress.
Your kindly consideration is again acknowledged together with
the good work of the staff. It has been very pleasing to welcome
back all the staff who have been in the services.
I am,
Your obedient servant,
A. T. W. POWELL,
Medical Officer of Health.