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been discussed, but at the present time no practical scheme exists
in this district for dealing with it. The infantile mortality rate
here is not worse than in many other similar places, but it is far
higher than it ought to be, and I have no doubt that the number
of infant deaths might be much reduced if some properly organised
and continued effort was undertaken. It is a matter of much
regret to me that the Notification of Births Act has not been
adopted, and I hope that in the near future you will decide to
make use of this most valuable provision. The appointment of a
women inspector, part of whose official duties would be the visiting
and advising of mothers and persons having charge of young
infants, would be sufficient to enable you to obtain sanction for
the adoption of the Act in this district.
During the year there has been no change in the staff of the
Health Department. Mr. Smith and the two assistant inspectors,
Mr. Ashworth and Mr. Butler, have all carried out their duties
in a most efficient manner, and my successor will I believe,
receive from them the same willing help they have always given
to me. The clerical work of the office has been uniformly well
done by Mr. Passey.
The kindly relations that have always existed between the
departments of the Medical Officer of Health and those of the
Clerk and the Surveyor have often enabled difficulties to be overcome
and the sanitary work of the district to be carried out
without friction. To Mr. Baker, the Clerk, I have to express my
special thanks for the skilful advice he has many times given me
in legal and other questions.
And lastly, I wish to take this opportunity of offering my
sincere thanks to the Chairman and Members of the Health
Committee, both past and present, for the time they have always
been ready to devote to the affairs of sanitary administration in
the district, and the careful consideration given to all matters I
have brought before them.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
EDWARD J. STEEGMANN.