H.—3l.

5. Statistical Research. A very extensive tabulation of figures has been obtained and published regarding hydatid incidence in human beings and in farm animals. A brief abstract of these particulars appears in the August number of the New Zealand Medical Jownal. 6. Clinical Research. With the co-operation of the Hydatid Registry of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, a series of clinical records, amounting in number to nearly 1,300, is now available and is being increasingly made use of for collective research work. DENTAL CARIES COMMITTEE. The progress of the dental survey has reached this point —that a Dental Survey Officer, Mr. Brice, of the Department of Oral Hygiene, has been seconded for duty. He has presented a preliminary report of the proposed survey, which has been discussed and amended by the Dental Committee on Ilth March. This report has been put into precis form. It is expected that the survey will take at least one year. The Dental Committee hopes to obtain by this means data upon the incidence of dental disease in this country upon which to base a sound programme of research, keeping in mind that our whole object is to determine in what way the incidence of dental disease in New Zealand can be lessened. The survey will be undertaken in order to estimate the caries index of the age-groups normally dealt with by the School Dental Service. Those groups are known already to exhibit variation from normal either in the direction of susceptibility or immunity to be surveyed in detail on approved chart. The choice of groups should be based on records already in possession of the Department of Dental Hygiene (average groups). Average groups also to be investigated. Those proving on examination to have the highest and lowest caries index to have the investigation extended to include the higher age-groups. Exact estimation of the caries index in districts where soil analyses have or are being made. Survey of institutions : — (ct) Orphanages : (1) Caries ; (2) controls outside ; (3) time factor. (b) Diet. —Boarding Schools : Comparison of two or more in same locality. With outside controls. General outline of diet, yearly. (Estimation of onset of caries.) Immunity of groups or individuals (record, existence of, only). Seasonal variations, investigate possible existence of, in onset of caries. Effect of economic factors on incidence of caries in schools in same locality. OBSTETRICAL committee. At its first meeting the Committee decided that investigation into toxaemias of pregnancy and its manifestations be the major line of investigation at the present time. As a commencement of the investigations information has been and is being obtained from:— (1) Medical Officers of Health : The number of cases of eclampsia notified since this condition was made a notifiable disease in 1923 has been obtained. This information is to be summarized to obtain particulars of incidence and geographical distribution of " eclampsia " : (2) The Government Statistician : Particulars have been supplied of all deaths from eclampsia and. toxaemias of pregnancy. (3) Ante-natal Clinics : Ante-natal clinic charts (form H.-Mt. 50) for all cases confined during the calendar year 1938 and recieving ante-natal attention have been obtained from the majority of ante-natal clinics in New Zealand. This information is to be summarized to obtain information on the incidence and geographical distribution of toxsemia ol pregnancy; (4) Results of investigations carried out overseas. Investigation into Puerperal Infections. At the second meeting of the Committee it was decided to investigate the possibility of developing an organized laboratory service for the examination of swabs for the purpose of typing streptococci, and that the Chairman (Dr. J. B. Dawson), be asked to investigate the possibility of establishing such a service in Dunedin, and during his visit to England to obtain information on equipment and service in England. Medical Research Officer. The Committee has appointed Dr. P. 0. Bennett as its Medical Research Officer.

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