H.—3l.

1940. 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. H. T. ARMSTRONG, MINISTER OF HEALTH. CONTENTS.

Reports of — hag is Director-General of Health .. .. .. .. • ■ • • • • • • • • 1-10 Director, Division of Public Hygiene .. .. .. .. •• .. .. .. 11-19 Director, Division of School Hygiene . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20-24 Director, Division of Hospitals .. . . . • • ■ • ■ • • • • • • • • 25-27 Director, Division of Nursing ~ .. .. . • .. • • • • ■ • • - 28-32 Director of Maternal Welfare .. . . . . . ■ . • ■ • ■ • ■ ■ • • 33-43 Director, Division of Dental Hygiene .. . . .. .. .. •. .. • • 44-49 Appendix— A. Control of Diphtheria in a Rural Health District .. .. •. .. .. . ■ 50 B. Progress in Prevention of Typhoid Fever in Maoris .. .. .. .. .. 51 C. Maori Diet .. .. .. • • • • • • • ■ • ■ • ■ • • 62-58

REPORTS.

The Director-General of Health to the Hon. the Minister of Health, Wellington. I have the honour to lay before you the annual report of the Department for the year 1939-40.

PART I.— GENERAL SURVEY.

Introduction. In the earlier part of the year arrangements in connection with the introduction of hospital and maternity benefits under the Social Security Act threw an extra load on the Department, while the outbreak of hostilities in September necessitated the diversion of departmental activities in increasing degree to work directly associated with the nation's war effort. The vital statistics for 1939 compare favourably with those of the previous year. There was also a relatively low incidence of the common infectious diseases. Vital Statistics., (Exclusive of Maoris.) Death-rate. The death-rate was 9-20 per thousand mean population, as compared with a rate of 9-71 in the preceding year. There was a marked decline in the number of deaths from pneumonia and measles, which accounted for part of the fall in the death-rate.

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