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35
Retirement of Medical Officer of Health.
As this is the last annual report I shall have the
honour of submitting, I must express my keen regret at
severing my connection with the borough after nearly
thirty years service, during the whole of which my
relations with the members of the Council present and
past, my colleagues and others have been such as to add
greatly to my sense of loss. The increasing duties
and responsibilities, however, of a Medical Officer of
Health, which unfortunately are not often recognised
financially, demand the energies of a younger man.
Of late years there has been a marked development in
the scope of public health work, which from being
mainly environmental, is now largely concerned with the
individual, as shown in the provision of dispensaries,
infant and school clinics, hospitals, maternity homes and
other forms of social service. In this connection my
sincere thanks,"and the thanks of the people of Fulham,
are due to those social workers who have given
their time and money in promoting objects, the value of
which was but tardily recognised by the local authority,
who are now reaping the benefit of the efforts of the
pioneers.
To the members of the staff of the Public Health
Department I owe the deepest gratitude for faithful
service always ungrudgingly given; many of them,
having duties to perform which invite criticism and
opposition, have fearlessly and zealously devoted themselves
to their task. From my colleagues I have always
received sympathetic consideration and encouragement,
and we have worked in complete harmony.
I am,
Sir, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. CHARLES JACKSON.