H.—3l

Nelson. —Blood from bubo: Micrococcus present, but no Bacillus pestis. At Wellington during May and June some twenty rats from the neighbourhood of the wharf were examined without any disease being discovered. The following matters outside my duties as Bacteriologist received attention : — Air-analysis. —lnvestigations into the ventilation of one Government building and one private school were made. In each case a series of observations were made as to the amount of carbonic acid present in the air at various periods of the day or night. Special Reports were prepared on the following subjects : Working of the District Sanitary Inspectors' scheme; regulations for the sanitary control of boardinghouses; model by-laws, nightsoil services; regulations for the control of producer-gas plants; tree-planting camps for consumptives. In connection with the general sanitary work in Nelson and Marlborough Districts, the following received attention- Houses inspected, 24; revision of Nelson drainage by-laws; suggestions for building by-laws, Picton; medical examinations in connection with infectious cases, 4. Attendances were made at the Magistrate's Court in connection with prosecutions on three occasions. Mr. Gilruth, Pathologist, has kindly supplied the following particulars of work done for this Department during the year : — In the past year nearly twelve hundred tubes of various nutrient media have been supplied to the Head Laboratorjr of the Department. All calves required for the production of vaccine have been carefully examined for disease both before the inoculation and after slaughter. Only sixty pathological specimens for diagnosis have been received here, but during the absence from headquarters of Dr. Makgill or of his Chief Assistant, Mr. Hurley, our services have been requisitioned from time to time. I have, &c,

R. H. Makgill,

Dr. J. M. Mason, Chief Health Officer.

Bacteriologist.

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