H—3l

employed being responsible for the entire programme in that area. The advantage of this system for isolated areas has been that with a large staff it is possible to change these nurses fairly frequently. There has also been an extension of the amalgamation of the Plunket Society and the Department's nursing staffs in some areas. In Otago the Plunket Society with four of its nurses doing departmental duties, is responsible for the entire public-health nursing duties, while the Department's nurses at Lake Tekapo, Otira, Porangahau, Mokau, and Great Barrier Island will undertake the duties usually carried out by the Plunket nurses. Post-graduate School The work of the school is steadily expanding. Forty-two nurses took the course in 1945, and fifty have enrolled for 1946, and there are many inquiries for 1947. This year the syllabus was reviewed and certain subjects made compulsory examination subjects. The Director of the Division of Nursing is of the opinion that the content of some of the subjects requires further consideration with a view to courses in clinical supervision being added to the curriculum, and the introduction of such specialties as. orthopaedics, tuberculosis, and obstetrics. Island Nursing Service The Director, Division of Nursing, visited Fiji, Samoa, Rarotonga, and Aitutuki. A conference was subsequently held in Suva, attended by the Chief Medical Officers of the various administrations, at which the Island Nursing Service was fully discussed, and decisions arrived at as to its future development. Occupational Therapy Meetings of the Selection Committee, consisting of Dr. Buchanan, Miss Inman, and the Director, Division of Nursing, were held. A large number of candidates were interviewed, and two classes of six were selected for training as occupational therapists. DIVISION OF TUBERCULOSIS The activities of the Division during the year have been directed in the main towards the keeping of the Tuberculosis Register in a more accurate manner, with the result that the prevalence of the disease in its many forms is better understood by all workers. The returns for the year 1945, as obtained from the notifications by general practitioners, hospital clinics, and Department's case-finding scheme, disclose the known position as at 31st December, 1945, as under: — 1. Stated Morbidity of Tuberculosis, Maori and European, in New Zealand as at 31st December, 1945, compared with years 1944 and 1943 :

The increase in morbidity during the last three years in more likely to be due to intensified case finding and better notification rather than an increase in prevalence.

18

Pulmonary. N on-pulmonary. Total, — 1945. 1943. 1944. 1945. 1943. 1944. 1945. North Island 4,698 5,038 6,116 386 507 546 6,662 South Island 1,398 1,722 2,005 181 259 360 2,415 Totals for New Zealand 6,096 6,760 8,171 567 766 906 9,077* * Total Maori morbidity for 1945 in the above total = 2,387.