H.—3l

Of this amount the dental nurses in the field, thirty-one in number, performed the following : Fillings, 36,136 ; extractions, 24,072 ; minor operations, 32,387 : total operations, 92,595. The total operations performed by dental nurses in the field since the first of these were placed out, in May and June, 1923, stands at the 31st December, 1925, as follows : Fillings, 92,335 ; extractions, 65,329 ; minor operations, 62,650 : total operations, 220,311. New Clinics opened.—During the period under review clinics have been established at Ngatea, Taumarunui, Hawera, Woolston, Temuka, Oamaru, Tapanui, and Gore, bringing the total number up to forty. In addition clinics will be opened shortly at Dargaville, Ponsonby, Papakura, Te Awamutu, Dannevirke, Eltham, and Timaru. During the year the school dental service has been extended to Rarotonga. The clinic is in charge of a dental surgeon whose services are also available to a limited extent for the adult population. As noted above, two Rarotongans are being trained as dental nurses, with a view to returning to Rarotonga to assist in this work. Equipment. —In view of the number of new clinics that are being opened each year, our requirements in the matter of equipment are ever increasing. While abroad, Mr. Hunter will take the opportunity of putting our requirements in this direction before the various manufacturers, and will go into the question of further standardizing the various types of equipment used. This should also result in the securing of more advantageous terms. With the growth of the service, and the consequent handling of larger quantities of equipment, the present methods of storage and distribution will require revision. SECTION 2.—PROPAGANDA. In this connection opportunity was taken of the Exhibition at Dunedin to bring the work we are doing before the public. A replica of a school dental clinic was exhibited, and a large number of leaflets on diet and dental matters were distributed to tfiose interested. Models showing the result upon the teeth of proper and of faulty dietetic habits, photographs of the training clinic, illustrated posters, and many other objects of interest were also displayed. The nurses in the field continue to take every opportunity of advising parents on various dietary and dental matters, and of interesting the members of the teaching profession in our work. Much good is undoubtedly being done in this way. J. L. Saunders, Acting Director, Division of Dental Hygiene. PART VII.—MAORI HYGIENE. GENERAL HEALTH. Typhoid Fever. —The year just closed has been marked by the lessened incidence of serious illness amongst the Native people, and shows even better results than those of last year. The continued improvement may be described as being brought about by the improved sanitary conditions inaugurated by this Division and applied through the channels of our various Maori Councils under my personal direction, and continued supervision of the officers of the Department. A large factor in very many of the settlements attributed to the improvement is the installation of water-supplies, which work has received more attention this year by my Division than any previous years. Funds of the various Councils, together with subsidies from the Department, have enabled this most necessary work to proceed. There have been no serious typhoid epidemics as in the past, and for the year just closed we have had typhoid in three settlements only, totalling twenty-four cases, with three deaths. Sporadic cases have, of course, occurred at other villages, but far less than previous years —the reason being improved conditions together with the inoculation of all cases, contacts, and the people generally. Inoculation proceeds as a routine measure, and no doubt as time goes on this disease will still be further reduced. The Natives, as a rule, are quite amenable to inoculation, but it does happen occasionally that some opposition is shown, which, however, is usually overcome when the necessity is made plain to them. This disease has been the most difficult to deal with, but as time goes on we shall, I am sure, have no need for anxiety in combating it, and have it well under control, owing to the improvements that have taken place together with the continuous inoculation of the people. It must also be remembered that our nurses aie well scattered amongst the people, and their continued supervision means that a case is soon detected, removed, and treated, and all contacts isolated. Means of transit are ever improving, by which cases more readily reach hospital, and where same can be done it leaves our nurses free to continue their work amongst the people, watching contacts, and taking immediate action should fresh cases occur. The individualization of lands by the Native Land Court is solving to a very great extent the overcrowding problem, and Natives now in many instances have their own homes on their own plots— a very great and permanent improvement towards health conditions generally. Other illnesses, of course, occur amongst the Native people, but not by any means in excess of that suffered by the white population. Consumption is fairly prevalent in many places, but improved

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