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47
Such is the attitude of the laity that helps to keep up the
death rate from diphtheria—a disease that need never be fatal if
medical aid be sought at once, and if antitoxin be confidently given
as soon as possible.
Mr. Houghton's table shews the work done in relation to the
Food and Drugs Act, and the measure of its increase in proportion
to the growth of the district and its needs.
The return, kindly furnished to me by Mr. Umney, Clerk to
the Richmond Board of Guardians, shews how well vaccinated this
district would be but for "conscientious objections."
But it is not a whit the less advisable that our means of
defence against smallpox should be as complete as possible, and it
is to be hoped that very shortly some outstanding details
in respect of the administrative arrangements at the County Smallpox
Hospital will be satisfactorily settled.
For the preparation of the succeeding tables I am indebted to
Mr Grylls, who has for so many years acted, with such advantage
to the district, as Inspector of Nuisances. I cannot write this, my
last report, without expressing my very sincere thanks to him for
the very loyal and efficient help he has afforded me during my term
of office, and of saying what is but strictly true, that the district
owes him much for his many years of judicious and thorough
work.
In Mr. Grylls' tables there is given but a hint of the
really enormous amount of work now carried out in the Public
Health Department. For the general policy the Medical Officer of
Health is, of course, alone responsible, and this position is
emphasised, definitely enough, by the recent order and memorandum
of the Local Government Board. These documents, however, do
not change the manner in which our work is carried on at Barnes;