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To sum up, therefore, we again have a marked diminution in the
birth rate, but counterbalanced to some extent by a diminution in the
death rate.
The deaths from tuberculosis were 3 less than last year, while those
resulting from zymotic diseases were 5 less.
Only 2deaths were certified as directly due to alcohol, this being
the lowest lor any previous year of which I have a record, the average
number of deaths from these causes for ten years prior to 1916 was 7.3
per year. The connection between the restrictions imposed by the
regulations of the Liquor Control Board and the diminution of deaths
from this cause furnishes interesting food for thought.
SANITARY INSPECTION.
Staff.- Mr. Marsden, the Inspector of Nuisances, was called up
for duty in the Royal Naval Air Force, on February 5th, the Council
appeals to the local and county tribunals being dismissed. The
decision to call up the chief inspector of a district with a population of
nearly 40,000 was a most unusual one, and the wisdom of the decision
most distinctly open to question. It is some satisfaction to know,
however, that Mr. Marsden is carrying out valuable duties of a sanitary
character in the important service to which he is attached. From then
the work was carried out by the Medical Officer and Mr. J. P. Clarke,
the temporary Assistant Inspector, who was appointed temporary
Inspector of Nuisances. Attention was largely concentrated on meat
and food inspection and enquiry into and disinfection after infectious
disease. Although routine housing inspection had perforce to be
abandoned, a surprisingly large number of insanitary conditions have
been remedied at the instance of the department during the year.
The total number of inspections and re-inspections made was
4,055; 292 intimations were sent and 69 statutory notices were served
by direction of the Council. Proceedings were taken in respect of three
of these and convictions were obtained.
Cowsheds, Dairies and Milkshops.—At the end of the
year 7 cowkeepers and 42 purveyors of milk were on the register. One