H.—3l.

(/) Children's Health Camps.—Many thousands of children have passed through these camps. The results have demonstrated the good which can be done to badly-nourished children by a simple regime providing adequate rest, fresh air, sunshine, and proper feeding. (g) Other Measures include those in general use the world over, such as amelioration of undesirable housing conditions, and town planning ; the erection of open-air schools ; the provision of free milk for school-children ; the extension of district nursing ; the control of milk-supply ; tuberculin-testing of herds; health education and the investigation into the incidence of tuberculosis among specially selected groups such as nurses. A rigorous system of medical examination of candidates for admission to training-schools for nurses has been instituted. This examination includes a Mantoux test and an X-ray of the chest. Applicants are engaged whether they have a positive or a negative Mantoux reaction, but the negative reactors are watched carefully and re-examined at stated intervals. Periodic X-ray examinations of chests of all nurses in training is usually undertaken. The campaign against tuberculosis is being waged along these lines. The problem, of course, is social and economic as well as medical. Venereal Disease. Ihe organization for the treatment of venereal disease was strengthened during the year. Steps were taken for the appointment of five specialist Medical Officers designated as Assistant Inspectors of Hospitals. The functions of these officers are :— (a) To visit periodically, but not more often than once a quarter, all general hospitals in their areas ; to report upon the existing facilities for treatment of V.D. ; and to make recommendations for ensuring that the treatment facilities are adequate. (b) To advise Medical Superintendents of Public Hospitals and Medical Officers in charge of V.D. Clinics on all matters relating to treatment. (c) To be available in the areas visited, to see, in consultation with private practitioners, cases upon which private practitioners desire expert advice. (d) To advise the Army Department upon all necessary measures to suppress and limit any outbreaks of V.D. in connection with Military Camps. A widespread incidence of syphilis was discovered amongst the Maoris resident in part of the Whakatane district. As a first step a survey was made of the affected area, and Wasscrmann examinations were carried out of all members of the population over the age of five. Of 896 individuals examined, 121. (13-5 per cent.) were found to give a positive Wassermann reaction. The next step was to give the necessary treatment. This was done by appointing Dr. Maaka as full-time Medical Officer to the area, with the duties of providing a general-practitioner service as well as the necessary anti-syphilitic treatment. There is no reason to believe that the high incidence of syphilis found in this group of Maoris is to be found elsewhere. In order to determine this point, however, instructions were issued for examination of specimens of blood from Maori patients entering hospital for any reason as well as from any Maori women seen ante-natally. The results so far are reassuring. Cancer. Cancer-control has been established on a sound basis by the New Zealand .Branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society. Consultation clinics, available to rich and. poor alike, are doing invaluable woik. During the year 920 new cases attended these clinics, and are under observation Ihe Auckland Division of the Society has been active in developing a plan to carry out statistical research into cancer in New Zealand, and has raised funds for this purpose. The Research Officer of the Society (Dr. A. M. Begg), who is working in London with Dr. Gye, F.R.S., at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratory, was granted additional leave of absence because of the importance of the work upon which he is engaged. Hydatid Disease. The campaign against this disease was continued along lines outlined in previous reports. The hydatid exhibit prepared for the Department by Dr. E. W. Bennett, of the Hydatid Research and Prevention Department at the Otago Medical School, created widespread interest among visitors at the Centennial Exhibition. Instructions for administration of arecoline hydrobromide tablets to dogs were revised, and 100,000 copies printed for distribution to dog owners. Repobts of Divisional, Directors, Public Hygiene. Dr. Ritchie in his report gives fuller statistics for the year. Problems associated with watersupplies, sewage disposal and treatment, infectious-disease control, industrial and Maori hygiene, and food and drugs inspection have received attention. A large amount of work was done in connection with the Dangerous Drugs Act and Poisons Act. The regular inspections of pharmacists' records that have been carried out have resulted in considerable improvements, and it is now comparatively rare to find a pharmacist whose books are not carefully kept. Military duties associated with the sanitary supervision ol camps and aerodromes, and war-emergency regulations in connection with the control of drugs and other essential medical supplies, have widened responsibilities of officers.

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