H,— 3l.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF HEALTH.

Presented in pursuance of Section 100 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1926.

HON. P. FRASER, MINISTER OF HEALTH.

CONTENTS.

Reports of — page Director-General of Health .. .. .. .. . • .. . • • • • • 1-9 Director, Division of Public Hygiene .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . • 9-24 Director, Division of School Hygiene .. .. . . .. .. . • . • • • 25-32 Director, Division of Hospitals .. .. .. .. .. .. . • • • • • 32-34 Director, Division of Dental Hygiene .. .. .. .. .. • • • • • • 35-41 Director, Division of Nursing .. .. .. .. .. • • • • • • • • 41-48 Inspector of Private and Maternity Hospitals .. .. .. .. .. • • • • 48-61

REPORTS.

The Director-General op Health to the Honourable the Minister of Health, Wellington. I have the honour to lay before you the annual report of the Department for the year 1935-36.

PART I.—GENERAL SURVEY. For the year just concluded infectious diseases generally were at a low level while there was no epidemic of importance. Vital Statistics. Death-rate.—The death-rate per 1,000 mean population was 8 22. In 1934 it was 8 48. Infant Mortality.—The infant-mortality rate showed a slight rise to 32-26 per 1,000 live births as compared with 32-11 in 1934. Still-births.--The still-birth rate was 30-8 per 1,000 live births. In 1934 this rate was 28-3. Birth-rate.—Births numbered 23,965 as compared with 24,322 m the preceding year. The birth-rate was 1613 as against 1647 in 1934. This is the lowest rate recorded, a statement which has applied in turn to each of the last ten years. Infectious and othee Diseases. The total number of notifiable diseases reported to the Department in 1935 was 3,349. This is the second lowest figure since accurate records of notifications have been compiled for the Dominion. I—PL 31.