6

work can, in his opinion, be expected until there is a properly organized
public health department in each district. The Governor in Council
recognizes the steps already taken by District Boards to afford medical
relief by the establishment and maintenance of dispensaries, but hitherto
their energies have been devoted to the cure rather than the prevention
of disease. It has not been sufficiently realized that public health is one
of their primary duties, that they are responsible for initiating sanitary
reforms in rural areas, and that for this purpose there must be an organized
staff trained in modern methods of hygiene and capable of dealing with
problems of public health. The great majority of the Boards have been
satisfied with entertaining a low paid Sanitary Inspector of poor qualifications
and with deputing doctors to deal with epidemics as they arise. Much more
is required of the District Boards if they are to discharge their functions
as guardians of the public health ; and orders are about to issue, as a
preliminary measure of reform, requiring the appointment by all District
Boards of a qualified District Health Officer, who will be responsible for
vaccination work, measures against epidemics and sanitary education in rural
areas.

17. Staff.—Dr. C. A. Bentley was in charge of the office of Sanitary
Commissioner, Bengal, and Mr. G. B. Williams of that of Sanitary Engineer,
throughout the year. The Governor in Council desires to acknowledge the
enthusiasm and zeal of Dr. Bentley, and to express his appreciation of the
efficiency with which Mr. Williams has, as in previous years, discharged
his duties. He also desires to thank the Sanitary Board and their President,
the Hon'ble Mr. C. J. Stevenson-Moore, C.V.O., for valuable assistance in
examining and advising Government on sanitary schemes and on the pro-
gramme of sanitary work.

                                By order of the Governor in Council,

                                                                    L. S. S. O'MALLEY.

                                                        Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal.

                          CIRCULAR Nos. 840-850San.

() For (1) &
(2) only.

* Report on Sanitation in Bengal for the year
1917.

Annual Statistical Returns and Short Notes on
Vaccination in Bengal for the year 1917-18.

COPY (with copies of the reports*)
forwarded to—

(1) all Commissioners of Divisions for information and communication;
to all District Officers and Chairmen of District Boards in their
respective divisions;

(2)

Bengal, for information ;

(3)

Bengal, for information.

                            By order of the Governor in Council,

                                                                    S. N. ROY,

                                                  Under-Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal.

    CALCUTTA (DACCA) :

MUNPL. DEPT.—Sanitation,

    The 22nd July1918.

B. S. Press—27-7-1918—860J—1,191— J. L. C.