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Although the actual number of persons who sickened with Typhoid
was greater by 14 than in 1909, they were fewer by forty than the
average of previous years, and since 1899, a continuous and steady
decline has been shown in the incidence of this disease.
During the year important Regulations and Orders have been issued
by the Local Government Board. The Diphtheria Antitoxin (outside
London) Order, issued under Section 133 of the Public Health Act,
makes legal the gratuitous provision of Antitoxin for poor patients
suffering from Diphtheria, as well as for contacts.
The Order imposes upon the Council no fresh obligations, as they
have been for years voluntarily undertaken by me. The expense
incurred has never been questioned.
The Sanitary Officers (outside London) Order, made also under the
Public Health Act, 1875, rescinds the Order of March, 1891, and
prescribes afresh the duties of the Medical Officer of Health, and
Inspector of Nuisances.
Articles 19 and 20 (3) prescribe for both officers the systematic
inspection of the district at certain periods and at intervals as occasion
requires.
Systematic inspection by the Medical Officer of Health in a district
employing five officers for the very purpose would be an impossible
task, and how the duties laid down by Article 20 (16), for the Inspector
of Nuisances can be of any value to the Medical Officer of Health in
" advising the Council on all matters affecting the health of the district,"
is only known to the framers of the New Order.
Were such a tabular statement as there referred to, rendered weekly,
then the Medical Officer of Health, knowing his district, could readily
appreciate what Sanitary work was being carried out, and how much
his interference with the statutory duties of other officers might be of
advantage to the Public Health.
Frankly, systematic visiting—that is, house to house inspection—
except for those premises requiring certificates under the Customs and
Inland Revenue Act of 1890 has not been undertaken by me, but I can
truly say that I am perfectly familiar with the existing sanitary
conditions in every Ward and have been into one or more houses in
every street during the year.
The Regulations under Section 17 (1) of the Housing and Town
Planning Act of 1909 have been issued in September.
In the absence of other instructions, Mr. West has undertaken the
duties under Articles II. and III. as the work to be carried out comes
more within his sphere of duties than that of any other officer.