H.—3l.

benzoate in place of salicylic acid where this preservative is permitted. Owing to the instability of iodine in iodized salt, provision has I 'ecu made for a variation of from one part to two parts of potassium iodide in every two hundred and fifty thousand parts of salt. The amendments also included regulations for labelling canned dried peas. The regulations for the marking and control of cool-store eggs were revoked as being impracticable. The minimum requirements for milk-fat in cream has been reduced from 40 per cent, to 35 per cent. During the year, in addition to maintaining the routine sampling of milk, butter, and other foodstuffs, attention has been given to the systematic sampling of the B.P. preparations commonly used as household remedies. While in the main the position is found to be satisfactory, there is evidence that there are a number of packers of these lines without pharmaceutical training and incapable of adequately testing their own results. It is possible that a serious result may some day arise, but the position cannot be adequately met without suitable legislation. In the meantime sampling will continue and prosecutions will be taken where such action is indicated. Thanks are again due to the Comptroller of Customs and the Dominion Analyst and their officers for valuable assistance and advice. I desire to again express my appreciation of the loyal and able co-operation of the Medical Officers of Health and their staffs. T. McKibbin, Director, Division of Public Hygiene.

PART TIL—SCHOOL HYGIENE.

I have the honour to report on the work of the Division of School Hygiene for the year ended 31st March, 1933. Staff. There has been a reduction in the permanent staff of School Medical Officers, which now consists of a Director, ten School Medical Officers, and twenty-five school nurses. In thru , districts Mast Cape, North Auckland, and Taranaki—the Medical Officer of Health acts also as School Medical Officer. At the end of the year Dr. Mecredy resigned from the position of Medical Officer of Health and School Medical.Officer, Taranaki, his place being filled by the transfer of Dr. Champtaloup from Auckland to Taranaki. There has been no alteration in the personnel of the School Nursing Service during the year ; Miss Cox, Gisborne, exchanged positions with Miss O'Meara, West Coast : Miss Eodges, District Nurse, Hamilton, transferred to the position of School Nurse, Wellington, Miss Milroy, Wanganui, taking her position at Hamilton : Miss Grey, Auckland, was transferred to Wanganui to replace Miss Milroy. Figures relating to Work accomplished in 1932. The following summary serves to indicate the extent of work accomplished during the school period, February to December, 1932 :— Schools inspected— Of roll under 100 . . .. .. .. .. 1 057 Of roll 100 to 500 .. .. .. 359 Of roll over 500 .. .. .. .. .. 139 1,555 Children examined— Complete examinations .. .. . . .. 66,479 Partial examinations .. .. .. .. .. 49,657 116,136 Number of notifications sent, to parents . . .. . . .. 39, '2(11 Number of addresses to school-children .. .. .. .. (152 Number of parents interviewed .. .. .. .. .. 12,550 Number of lectures or addresses to parents .. .. .. .. 40 The figures for the work of the school nurses are as follows :— Number of days assisted Medical Officer in schools .. .. .. 1.070 Number of children examined for medical schedule (H. Sell. 14). . .. 87,900 Number of children examined by special request .. .. .. 5,675 Number of children re-examined after medical officer's inspection .. 35,016 Number of visits paid to homes in— Large towns .. .. .. .. .. .. 8.418 Small country towns . . .. .. .. .. 2,542 Scattered districts .. .. .. .. .. 1,417 12,377 Number of children taken personally to hospital, &c. . . .. . . 976 Number of children taken personally to dental clinic .. .. .. 575 Number of health talks given .. .. .. .. .. 661

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