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4a
most comprehensive in operation and fulfils practically all the
fundamental requirements of an adequate maternity service, as
formulated in the final report of the Departmental Committee of
the Ministry of Health on Maternal Mortality. Its influence on
maternal mortality and morbidity in Croydon will depend upon
the use made of its facilities by that section of the population for
whom it is intended.
The figures given, and the scope of the sections detailed
indicate to what an extent the Public Health Service has become
an integral part of the civic economy. There are few aspects in
the life of citizens which are not, in some way or other, ooncerned
in its activities. As the density of population increases it becomes
more than ever imperative to maintain a high level of sanitation
and of efficiency if the present position of the Public Health is to
be maintained. Lack of interest in, and ignorance of, the duties
of health authorities, are the greatest obstacles to further progress
and proper valuation of the value of the services which they
maintain. It is better, and in the end more eoonomical, to
prevent than to cure. This object must always be kept in mind,
and it will be fatal to success if the curative functions, which have
been transferred to Health Authorities under the Local Government
Act, are allowed to overshadow the original function of
prevention.
I wish to tender my thanks to the Chairmen and Members of
the Public Health Committee, the Mental Deficiency Committee,
the Housing Committee, and the various Sub-Committees, for the
sympathetic consideration they have given to any proposals
submitted to them, and for the interest they have taken in the
work of the department.
The staff of the department have carried out their duties in a
satisfactory manner, and I would like to mention the Deputy
Medical Officer of Health, Dr. W. B. Watson, whose continued
co-operation at all times has been of great value; the Chief Sanitary
Inspector, Mr. R. J. Jackson; and the clerical staff, whose
duties steadily increase year by year as new legislation is promulgated
and put into praotice.
I am,
Yours faithfully,
OSCAR M. HOLDEN,
Medical Officer of Health