Report. [1918]

17

At Balala, the non-leper section, permanent improvements
were also effected, viz.:
(a) The Chief's House.-Erection started in 1917 was completed and occupied in April, 1918. Building is of modified
"model-house" plan.
(b) Clerk's quarters.-A new double house of the "modelhouse" plan has been erected providing ample accommodations
for two families.
(c) Dock bodega.-A temporary structure has been erected,
made of first group timbers with galvanized iron roof.
(d) A new launch, thirty feet, "V-bottom," all lanete, was
constructed early in the year and fitted with a new 25 horse
power Ferro engine. The launch has proved very seaworthy.
CLERICAL ORK.
The work of the Clerical Office has been particularly heavy
during 1918. The daily average of pieces of mail handled had
increased to an enormous extent, and a serious shortage in the
personnel was experienced throughout the year, more acutely so
during the second semester, when the chief of office had to be
absent himself undergoing military training with the Philippine
National Guard. As a whole, though, the available personnel
performed their tasks satisfactorily despite shortage of numbers
and consequent doubling up of work.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING.
Work by public health nurses in Manila has been in the main
along educational lines, and in connection with child welfare,
medical relief and general hygiene and sanitation. The plan
was to visit each house in a given district and treat the simple
cases, referring the more serious ones to hospitals and clinics.
Talks were given in each house on sanitation, housekeeping and
balanced diet, expectant mothers were advised and instruction
given in the care of babies. Emphasis was given to the subject
wherein education was apparently most needed in the household.
The family was also instructed in the care of the sick and in
the prophylaxis against infectious diseases. The work in the
provinces has been done in accordance with the same plan.
Practical demonstrations of public health nursing work were
given to the nurses of the hospitals at Baguio, Bontoc, Kiangan
and Bayombong and instructions to the people in the villages
along the trail between these towns. The office has also cooperated with the sanitary surveys in Cebu and Bulacan Provinces
and with the sanitary work in the extra cantonment zone around
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