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flow away. We do it too in the position of the head common to lower
mammals, that is with the mouth and nose downwards. Anatomically
this is the most efficient position for clearing exudates. Catarrh
might be one of the tribulations of man from having adopted the
upright position. It is not the only one.
I would like to mention specially for commendation Miss
Francis, the Superintendent Health Visitor who has been helping me
with the clinic and on whom I have placed an enormous load of work;
she has often worked extra time and at extra speed to get it done;
also my Secretary, Miss Reeves, who has had more than her share of
the additional burden. Dr. Cormack has had to carry an extra part
part of my duties and also some of Dr. Whitfield's since she left
us at the end of October. Mr.Pugh has looked after the office side
of things with his usual conscientiousness and efficiency.
Mr. Easter and the Inspectors have worked at full speed and
also have done a good job in tackling the clean air problem. We
hope we shall provide evidence for you one way or another in the
near future. We are making steady progress with the clearance of
the unfit houses, we have now cleared off 73 out of 180 houses
scheduled for action under the Housing Act in the current programme.
I would like also to mention the other 400 odd members of the
staff whose work you hardly ever hear of. The services go on
automatically with rarely a complaint, which speaks well for the
zeal and enthusiasm so commonly evinced. There are clerks, health
visitors, midwives, nurses, matrons, doctors, psychologists,
psychiatrist, social workers, speech therapists physiotherepist
home helps, rat catchers, odd job people, caretakers and dozens of
voluntary workers; and also some voluntary societies, who will
derive benefit and feel better for a word of praise from me.
I beg to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Chairman and
Members of the Public Health Committee for their helpfulness and
support, which is always of the greatest encouragement. I desire,
also to acknowledge with thanks the friendly co-operation and help
which I have always received from my colleagues in the other departments
of the Corporation and the other members of Council.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN MADDISON,
Medical Officer of Health
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