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Medical Research Council. The Medical Research Council continued its work during the year. The following Committees submitted reports to the Council: — (1) Obstetrical Research Committee : Dr. F. 0. Bennett, Medical Officer for Obstetrical Research, completed his second volume of the " Statistical Inquiry into the Incidence, &c., of the Toxsemia of Pregnancy in New Zealand." (2) Tuberculosis Committee : The work of typing tubercle bacilli was commenced. Information is being obtained of the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in certain occupations. (3) Hydatid Committee : This Committee is closely associated with the Department of Hydatid Research and Prevention, Medical School, Otago University. The Chairman of both bodies is Sir Louis Barnett, who publishes annually in the New Zealand Medical Journal his investigations on the incidence of hydatid disease in man and animals, and in the journal of the Australasian College of Surgeons the Hydatid Registry of clinical records (now numbering 1,550). (4) Committee for Study of the Physiology and Pathology of the Thyroid Gland : Researches on thyroid problems outlined in previous reports have been steadily prosecuted. Definite progress was recorded in various directions, particularly in the elucidation of the goitre-producing action of the Brassicse. Reports on these studies by T. H. Kennedy, H. I). Purvis, W. E. Griesbach, and V. L E. Whitehead are to be submitted for publication to the British Journal of Experimental Pathology. (5) Nutrition Committee : Attention has already been drawn to the activities of Dr. Muriel Bell, which are closely linked up with those of this Committee. Miss Elizabeth C. G. Wilson continued her studies, and presented a report comparing white bread, 10 per cent, germ bread, and wholemeal bread made from the same wheat. These were compared as to their vitamin B 1 content. The report was sent to the Wheat Research Institute, and will be published in due course. A dietary survey among the Maori population is contemplated. It may be possible to do simultaneously some work on dietaries in farming areas among the European population. The assessment of the nutritional status of the population in respect of vitamin B, and vitamin C is to be undertaken. The work of the Medical Research Council, although handicapped by war conditions, has gone steadily forward. The policy has been to encourage the continuance of investigations, and the Council is grateful for assistance given by the members of the Committees. Staff. I regret to record the death of Dr. Mary Champtaloup, an able and sympathetic officer. As School Medical Officer she was stationed in various centres, and for a time was Medical Officer of Health for the Taranaki Health District. Dr. Champtaloup carried out several health surveys of schoolchildren, and was responsible for the formation of the Mothers' Health League in Wellington. Dr. Elizabeth Gunn retired after twenty-eight years of devoted service as a School Medical Officer. For the last three years she acted as Director of this Division of the Department's work. On her retirement Dr. H. B. Turbott was appointed to the position. Dr. Baker-McLaglan, Dr. Emma Irwin, and Dr. R. B. Phillipps retired after long and valuable service as School Medical Officers. Dr. Baker-McLaglan's name will always be associated with the pioneer research work into the incidence of goitre among school-children in the Canterbury district. Dr. Irwin was a highly esteemed officer who for a time held the position of Medical Superintendent of the Otaki Tuberculosis Sanatorium when administered by the Department. The introduction of open-air schools in this country owes much to the support given to this movement by Dr. Phillipps. In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks for the support rendered me by officers during the year. M. H. Watt, Director-General of Health.

2—H. 31.

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