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72
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC
HEALTH.
The arrangements made in 1903, enabling the Head Teachers to
make use of my services in cases of non-notified contagious diseases
among children attending school, were little used.
Cases of Scabies, Ringworm, Ophthalmia and Impetigo are fairly
common among children; and to enable the teachers to recognise
these and other complaints, every school was provided with a card
detailing their symptoms, &c., a measure which I have reason to think
has proved useful.
The incidence and larger death-rate from Measles and Whooping
Cough in children under five years of age have already been dealt with.
Opinions vary as to the wisdom or foolishness of prizes and medals
for good attendance—a question for the Education Committee; but I
have no doubt such bribes are productive of no good from a public
health standpoint.
MORTUARY.
During the year 154 bodies were received, 112 inquests held, and
25 post mortem examinations made.
Erected in 1901, the Mortuary is quite up to date, with provision for
infectious and non-infectious bodies.
The Committee Room, placed quite near, has been used by the
Coroner for all inquests, and serves admirably his purpose.
With a minimum fee of 5s. paid by the County Council for each
inquest or adjourned inquest, the capital expenditure of £1,100 may be
said to be justified.
The following requirements are needed for the
sanitary equipment of your district:—
1. Further Isolation Hospital accommodation (in course of erection).
2. More adequate provision for the disposal of sewage.
3. An improvement in the surface-water and the enlargement of
other sewers.