Report of the Commission of Public Health to the Minister of Public Health / Department of Public Health, Victoria.

  • Victoria. Commission of Public Health
Date:
[1925]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Commission of Public Health to the Minister of Public Health / Department of Public Health, Victoria. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    46/64 (page 46)
    Prosecutions.— Insanitary slaughter yards Unwholesome food and dirty premises Exposure of bacon to flies and dust Insanitary night-soil depot 4 3 1 1 So far as the North-Western District is concerned, the method used at all first inspections is one of education and co-operation. Only in cases of extreme neglect have prosecutions been recommended. This course is found to work satisfactorily in the majority of cases, there being very few occupiers of premises who will not make an attempt to remedy defects. Health Act and Regulations.—Although as a general rule Councils have a copy of the Health Act and regulations at their respective offices, a number of medical officers of health, health inspectors, town clerks, and shire secretaries do not appear to devote enough attention towards acquiring a sufficient knowledge of what is required by the Act. Hence, one finds cases where sanitary depots, garbage tips, &c., have never been visited, and the location of such places is not known. Then again, many premises which should be registered have never been so, and the occupiers appear to be amazed when informed that such a course is necessary under the Health Act. Dejects in Rani tary Administration.—In the North-Western District a number of muni¬ cipalities have by-laws to deal with sanitary administration. Since last report new by-laws have been made concerning garbage services, street drainage <fcc., by a few authorities. Unfortunately these by-laws are seldom enforced, and insanitary conditions are allowed to remain. Defects in sanitary administration were most frequently seen] with regard to :— (a) Inefficient supervision of offensive trades, boarding and eating-houses, sanitary depots, hotels, stables, and yards, and contamination of natural watercourses. (b) Construction and maintenance of privies. (c) Insanitary street drainage. (d) Lack of meat areas and inefficient supervision of meat supplies. (ie) Inefficient dairy supervision and lack of milk sampling, especially where the Dairy Supervision Act is not in force. (f) Unqualified health inspectors. (g) Absence of by-laws to control insanitary conditions and nuisances. Recommendations as to improvements of insanitary conditions and suggestions tending to promote the public health :— Under Heading (a)—Inefficient supervision of offensive trades, boarding and eating- houses, sanitary depots, hotel stables and yards, and contamination oj natural watercourses. Offensive Trades. - During inspections a number of offensive trades such as private abattoirs and piggeries were found to be carried on in one premises, only the slaughter yard being registered by the respective Council. All offensive trades should be registered separately to enable complete control and super¬ vision of each. Revenue is being continually lost by Councils by non-registration of separate offensive trades. All private abattoirs, piggeries, and skin-dealers premises should be made to comply with regulations as far as can reasonably be expected in country places. Boarding and Eating-houses.—Premises connected with food supplies such as boarding and eating-houses require continual supervision, for if this is not carried, out there is a tendency to neglect, with the result that food stuffs are left exposed to flies and dust. Such premises should always be fly-proofed as far as possible during the fly season, and should be registered by their respective Councils. Great neglect is shown in this latter respect. Sanitary Depots.—These are much neglected and badly supervised by local authorities, and methods of correct trenching and burial are seldom seen ; also, depot sites have been found adjoining important water channels for town supplies. All these defects should be remedied, and frequent inspections carried out by Councils. Hotel Stables and Yards.—Accumulations of manure are too frequently seen at country hotels, not only in stables, but heaped in yards on the premises. More frequent removal of this material is necessary to prevent fly breeding. This should be strictly enforced by all Councils.