Annual report of the Commissioner of Public Health to 30th June, 1930 / Queensland.

  • Queensland. Department of Public Health
Date:
1930
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Commissioner of Public Health to 30th June, 1930 / Queensland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    21/28 (page 21)
    Poisons.—In addition to the other inspection duties, much time has been devoted to the sale ot‘ poisons within this district, where no less than 70 inspections were made under this heading. As a result of these inspections, numerous traders, particularly storekeepers, were found to be committing breaches of the Poisons Regula¬ tions, 1924, and it was therefore necessary to issue 41 default notices calling upon them to comply with the Regulations. Mackay and District. The officer in charge of this sub-office reports as follows for the year under review:— The year has been one of steady progress, both in sanitation and foods. Very few com¬ plaints have been received in reference to nuis¬ ances, and none were of a serious nature. Quite a number of persons now make inquiry as to the requirements of the Regulations, before commencing new businesses or altering or erect¬ ing new premises. Various improvements have been effected in premises and fittings, but not many of any great magnitude, owing to tightness of the money market, but standards of cleanliness, &c., have been well maintained. Milk sampling has been carried out regularly once per month, and certainly effects a restrain¬ ing influence on persons who would otherwise be lax or dishonest. Quality of spirits has been kept up to standard by systematic testing at hotels and warehouses. Unsound Food.—During the year unsound food of a total weight of 16 tons 8 cwt. 2 qr. 27 lb. has been destroyed as unfit for consump¬ tion. Samples.—Seventy-four samples of milk and 4 of sausage meat were submitted for analysis. Townsville and District. The officer in charge of the Townsville office advises as follows in regard to the operations carried out in his area for the year ended the 30th June, 1930:— In addition to duties in Townsville, I visited 38 outside places during the year, travelling 4,190 miles. Five tons 19 cwt. 1 qr. 18 lb. unsound food were destroyed as unfit for consumption during the fiscal year. Three samples milk and 2 samples crab were submitted for analysis. Seven prosecutions were undertaken with the following results:—A conviction was obtained in each instance, and penalties imposed by the magistrates, totalling fines £52 and costs £22 11s. 6d. Cairns and District. The officer in charge at Cairns reports as follows:—During the year visits of inspection have been paid to 38 towns outside of Cairns; 2,521 miles being travelled by rail, boat, and motor car. Samples.—Sixty-four samples were submitted to the Government Analyst as follows:—Milk 21, whisky 2, brandy 1, rum 1, canned crab 38, drugs 1. Certificates of condemnation were issued for 1 ton 1 cwt. 25 lb. of unsound foods, which was destroyed under my supervision. Prosecutions.—Three hotelkeepers were prose¬ cuted for selling adulterated spirits and penalties totalling fines £21 10s. and costs £3 13s. 6d. imposed by the police magistrates. LEPER LAZARET, PEEL ISLAND. The following table indicates the number of discharges, deaths, as well as patients remain¬ ing under treatment at the Lazaret on the 31st- December for the years 1928 and 1929, from which it will be noted that the numbers remain¬ ing under isolation are practically the same at the end of each year. White Inmates. 1928. 1st January . . 37 Admitted 7 — 44 Discharged . . 10 Deaths 4 — 14 Total number, December, ] 928 . . . * 30 1929. 1st January .. 30 Admitted 6 — 36 Discharged 3 Deaths 0 — 3 Total number, December, 929 .. 33 Coloured Inmates. 1928. 1st January . . 36 Admitted 2 — 38 Discharged 3 Deaths 0 — 3 Total number, December, 1928 . . 35 1929. 1st January . . 35 Admitted 0 — 35 Discharged 1 Deaths 3 4 Total number, December, 1929 31 In order to make isolation less irksome, every¬ thing possible is done to ensure that the inmates are provided with ample supplies of sporting materials, including wireless installations, fishing and cricketing necessities, &c. Every encouragement is given the inmates to cultivate flower plots in their various compounds, thus making the Lazaret grounds attractive and giving a bright appearance to the place, the ground being specially suitable for flower-grow¬ ing. During the long winter evenings the library proves a boon, whilst cards and draughts are attractive to many of the inmates. The wireless installations also prove a much appreciated attraction, thus bringing the inmates in close contact with the outer world.