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42
One case of puerperal fever was notified, but subsequently the
medical man in attendance informed me that in his opinion the
patient had really died from malignant endocarditis.
It is clear, from the table given on page 61, that our position
in respect of the three principal zymotic diseases, diphtheria,
scarlet fever and typhoid, has, during the last decade, steadily improved,
for the average number of cases notified annually has, in
spite of increased alacrity in notification, rather diminished than
increased. As the population has increased nearly one hundred
per cent., it is obvious that the prevalence of these diseases
has been halved at least. This would be a welcome
achievement even if it had cost money. But the sanitary
rate, i.e., the burden per pound of rateable value due to the cost of
the hospital and public health department, has not increased during
the period under review.
I mentioned in my last report that the actual inspection of
the work of Midwives had been taken from the local medical
officers of health, on what many considered most inadequate
grounds, and transferred to a lady in other employment, who, it
was proposed, should give part of her time to the task of inspection.
It was anticipated that this plan would not be found so practicable
or economical as the County Council hoped. I learn that the lady
appointed has resigned her duties on the grounds of ill-health, and
that the County Council now proposes to appoint two in her stead.
There are several unfortunate aspects of the original changes,
and although when the British Medical Association approached the
Surrey County Council some months ago, the reply was that the
matter was une chose jugée, it is regrettable that the County Council
did not take the opportunity afforded by the resignation alluded to,
to reconsider the whole matter.
My report under the Factory and Workshops Act is