[Report 1946] / Medical Officer of Health, Bristol.

  • Bristol (England). Council.
Date:
1946
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1946] / Medical Officer of Health, Bristol. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1/194 (page 1)
    CITY AND COUNTY OF BRISTOL ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH, 1946 My Lord Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honour to submit my report on the state of the public health and sanitary circumstances of the city for the year 1946. The Ministry of Health in Circular 13/47 dated the 13th March, 1947, have requested that the report shall follow the lines on which it has been prepared during the war years and for reasons of economy in paper and labour, be once again in abridged form. There are certain subjects of current interest which the Minister wishes to be included; amongst these are tuberculosis (including the allowances scheme), venereal disease (including the tracing of contacts and follow- up of defaulters), the progress of diphtheria immunisation (including action taken under paragraphs 7 and 9 of Circular 194/45 of l4th November, 1945), the care of premature infants and of illegitimate children, and of the steps taken to combat infestation. The Minister also requires the inclusion of a statement giving certain information in regard to the water supply of the area. The report is arranged in two main parts: (a) a summary of the work of the department during the year; (b) appendices, including special reports and statistics. I wish to express my indebtedness for the courtesy at all times extended to me by the Chairmen and members of various committees, and particularly to the Chair- men of the Health and Education Committees and also to the chief officers of the Corporation, whose co-operation has greatly facilitated the work of the department throughout the year. I wish to thank sincerely my colleagues in the Health Department for their loyalty and willing help and to take this opportunity of recording a sincere welcome to all members of the staff who have recently returned from serving in His Majesty's Forces. It is with great regret that I refer to the death of Mr. F. E. Needs, the late City Analyst. Mr. Needs came to Bristol in 1906 as an assistant to the City Analyst and was appointed to the position of Public Analyst in August, 1934. Mr. Needs also held the offices of Official Agricultural Analyst and Gas Examiner for the city. His appoint- ment came soon after the inauguration of the Department of Preventive Medicine and the greatly increased work of the department, as well as the co-ordination of the city and university work, was greatly assisted by the tact and enthusiasm with which he managed his department. Dr. Marguerite G. Hughes retired in November, 1946, owing to ill health. She had been in the service of the Health Committee for 20 years and since 1928 had held the post of chief assistant medical officer for maternity and child welfare. Her work, in a period of considerable expansion of duties falling on the department, was conscientious and thorough. She was a loyal member of the staff, popular with her colleagues. 'We wish her many more happy years and our thanks and best wishes go fo her. This report was prepared witli the assistance of Mr. L. R. Rogers, to whom I tender my best thanks. I am, my Lord Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, R. H. PARRY, Medical Officer of Health. Department of Public Health, Kenwith Lodge, Westbury Park, Bristol 6. August, 1947.