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infant of ante-natal development, and of parturition, are
reduced, no further diminution of infant mortality comparable
with that achieved over the past two or three decades by
improvement in infant care, is possible.
The remaining statistics present no features to arouse
comment, and are satisfactory.
Among the notifiable infectious diseases Measles during
the year assumed epidemic proportions, and there was high
incidence of Whooping Cough, and to a less extent, Scarlet
Fever.
Information from other sources suggests also that there
has been, during the year, an increase in non-notifiable diseases
and in milder infections. Returns from the schools and
information from medical practitioners show that a mild form
of gastro-enteritis was fairly widespread at certain periods
during the year, not adequately revealed probably by dysentery
notifications.
Towards the end of the year, influenza threatened to
assume epidemic proportions. The all-out production effort
and the consequent absence of the usual sources of domestic
assistance gave rise to some anxiety, so much so that the
Ministry of Health sought the aid of the Women's Voluntary
Service to secure that ill people should be able to remain in
bed. Fortunately the epidemic was of very limited extent and
the arrangements made were not extensively required.
It remains for me to place on record my appreciation of
the loyal and unstinting labours of my staff. Through a period
of great difficulty the members of the Public Health staff have
carried on, and what success the department may have
achieved is largely due to them.
I am, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
A. WALLACE JOHNS,
Medical Officer of Health.
September, 1944.
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