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now almost sure that in the near future we shall be able to
deal with Scarlet Fever much in the same way that can now
be done in Diphtheria.
Reverting for a moment to the death-rate, there is one
fact relating to it I should like to emphasise. It is this:
within recent years, the death-rate of all persons at all ages,
and from all causes has shown a very large fall. On the other
hand, the death-rate from child-birth and its diseases, and of
infants under one month, has remained practically the same.
I have no figures at hand at the moment to prove this, but it
certainly indicates that we are not getting the results we
should from our pre-natal work. I have considered this
question with my Maternity and Child Welfare Committee,
and at a meeting of all the doctors in the District, and
modifications in the administration of our Maternity Centre
will be very shortly established.
With regards to the needs of the District, the most
urgent are: adequate housing accommodation; a general
Hospital, which the present Committee hopes to see in being
within the next year or so; re-organization of the work
generally in connection with Maternity and Child Welfare.
In conclusion, I beg to thank the Council for their helpful
and courteous consideration of the proposals I have had to
submit to them from time to time during the year, and I
express my grateful appreciation of the excellent work done
by the different branches of the Public Health Staff.
I beg to remain,
Your obedient Servant,
J. D. WINDLE,
Medical Officer of Health.