4                                   No. 1496-P.H., 31ST OCTOBER 1922

figures would be far worse if the true number of births were known. Unfortu-
nately, as pointed out by the Director of Public Health in his Administration
Report for 1921—22, there is hardly a local body in the Presidency which knows
its own birth-rate.

16. The record of the year's work is anything but creditable to local self-
governing bodies as a whole, though there are some honourable exceptions to the
general retrogression. With the greatly improved potency of lymph better
results should be easily attainable and in rural areas the organization of district
health staffs under competent district health officers should put new life into
the campaign against preventible disease. But the efforts of the King Institute
and of the vaccination staff will avail little unless the members of local bodies
maintain a lively interest in their activities.

(By order of the Government, Ministry of Local Self-Government)

                                                                                F. J. RICHARDS,
                                                                        Secretary to Government.

To the Surgeon-General.
„ the Director of Public Health.
„ the Sanitary Engineer, through Public Works Department.
„ the Assistant Quartermaster-General, 9th (Secunderabad) Division (with C.L.).
„ the Director of Public Instruction.
„ the Accountant-General.
„ the President, Corporation of Madras.
„ all Collectors.
„ all Presidents of District Hoards.
„ all Chairmen of Municipal Councils.
„ the Inspector of Municipalities and Local Boards.
„ the Publicity Officer.
„ the Examiner of Local Fund Accounts.
„ the Law (General) Department.
„ the Revenue Department.
„ the Judicial Department.
Editors' Table.

                                                                                        [Annexures.]