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Agriculture was immediately notified of these positive results, and complete testing of the herds affected was carried out, and the cows affected destroyed. Poet Health Work. During the calendar year 1925 a total of 349 overseas vessels arrived at the Port of Auckland and were inspected by the Port Health Officer. From these vessels a total of 138 prohibited immigrants were reported, and included in this total were twenty-two cases of infectious disease and four contacts, which were dealt with in accordance with departmental regulations. Inspector Weaver has been in charge of sanitation in connection with all vessels in port, and waterfront conditions generally during the year, and has carried out his duties efficiently and satisfactorily. NORTH AUCKLAND AND COIIOMANDEL-OPOTTKT HEALTH DISTRICTS. Dr. H. Chesson, Medical Officer of Health. Part 2. I have pleasure in submitting the annual report for the year 1925-26 for the North Auckland and Coromandel-Opotiki Health Districts, under the following headings : — Infectious Diseases. The outstanding feature of the year was, of course, the infantile-paralysis epidemic, which had reached its climax at the 31st March, 1925, at which date in the North Auckland Health District forty-five cases and twelve deaths had been recorded, and in the Coromandel-Opotiki Health District twenty-two cases and two deaths. For the remainder of the calendar year 1925 a further fourteen cases and three deaths were notified in the North Auckland District, and twelve cases and three deaths in the Coromandel-Opotiki District. As the epidemic has been well traversed in previous reports forwarded during the year, I refrain from a detailed comment in this report. It is pleasing to note that the incidence of diphtheria and scarlet fever has been but small, there being no outbreaks of either of these diseases recorded in the two health districts. The North Auckland District has also been singularly free from typhoid fever, but in the Coromandel-Opotiki district three small outbreaks amongst Maoris were dealt with. The first of these occurred at Maungapohatu, in the Urewera country. A tempoxary hospital in charge of Dr. Henderson was established here, and in all twenty cases were treated, eleven of which were definite typhoid cases. A second outbreak of eight cases occurred at Motiti Island and in the vicinity of Tauranga, this outbreak being probably due to a contaminated water-supply at Motiti Island. The third outbreak of ten cases occurred at Te Kaha, in the Bay of Plenty. In both these latter outbreaks it was found practicable to deal with the cases by removal to hospital. In all these outbreaks extensive inoculation of contacts was carried out, and a general clean-up of the surroundings was insisted upon. In addition to these special anti-typhoid inoculations, routine inoculations were carried out by the Native nurses throughout the two districts, and this no doubt will bear fruit in controlling the incidence of this disease in the future. All cases of puerperal fever or of septicaemia following miscarriage or abortion notified during the year were carefully investigated, and full restrictions in regard to the suspension of nurses or private hospitals concerned were imposed. Particulars of cases have been recorded on the quarterly puerperal-fever returns forwarded during the year in conjunction with the maternal-mortality returns, also forwarded, showing deaths recorded by the various Registrars as due to or in connection with childbirth. The position in regard to other diseases has been satisfactory. General Sanitation. The year under review has marked quite a considerable advance in the improvement of the sanitation of the two districts. Supervision has been exercised over all sanitary matters, and improvements have been effected in regard to rubbish-tips, nightsoil-dumps, sanitary services, drainage schemes, and offensive trades. The question of a joint refuse-destructor for the North Shore boroughs was given considerable consideration with the boroughs concerned, but no finality was reached. Some of the more important sanitary improvements effected during the year are detailed below : — North Auckland Health District— Kaitaia : Nightsoil-removal and refuse-collection service instituted. Open drain provided to take drainage-water. Whangarei: New drainage by-laws adopted. Present sewers not large enough, and Council urged to consider the question of sewerage extensions, also to install sealed-pan nightsoil service. Dargaville : Daylight sanitary service commenced in October—satisfactory—no complaints. Warkworth : Water and sewerage system extended ; all business area now sewered. Helensville : Sewerage system extended. Henderson : Water-reticulation scheme in progress, and nightsoil-removal service in prospect. Devo'nport: Full-time Sanitary Inspector appointed as from Ist September, 1925. Now plumbing and drainage regulations adopted and by-laws revised. All house-sewer connections completed. Takapuna : Sewerage scheme in progress and reticulation proceeding. Plumbing and drainage regulations adopted.

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