It is satisfactory to note that in many "instances this policy has led {to the awakening, both of the public and the trader, to the need for [certain sanitary improvements. In a few matiers such as town planning, infant welfare work and" factory supervision, the Department may be said to be in its Public Health infancy, and to confine itself for the Present to the collection and collation of information. Further, the mapping out of the town into areas, and the collection of facts relating to [certain trade processes or factory and living conditions, enables action 10 taken promptly whenever ci [cumstances point to such action resulting satisfactorily.
The secondary function of a Health, Department in tracing the causes of deaths, and nature of epidemics, is Jalso the subject of intensive study. Owing however, to the reluctance of {the population "to supply what is regarded as information of a private nature, the registration of deaths is means an accurate or easy Jmatter. Occasional wild suggestions fare made that Shanghai is the centre fof infectious and other diseases. There no evidence that it is. This idea has developed owing to the fact that far higher percentage of communi-feeble disease is notified and class fled in this town, than in surrounding areas, brings sporadic cases of [communicable disease into. promin-Jence, and makes the presence of unsuspected epidemics almost imposelbie. Thus the town to a casual Jobserver frequently seems the source Jof epidemic disease, actually im-[ported from other" areas, which, owing to the lack of system, are impregnated with the diseases in epidemic form, without being aware fof the fact.
Consideration of space does not Permit elaboration of the ramifications of Public Health Administration in regard to the suppression of various noxious activities, unavoidable in the fife of a large city. Tt might be pointed out, however, that several of the Divisions perform work which, in highly organized communities, is per-
NE. Herald" Photo.
Admiral F. B. Uphas commanding the Ameri Fleet, who will represent his nation at the Melbourne centenary celebrations.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.