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

  • Victoria. Commission of Public Health.
Date:
[1951]
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.

    13/96 (page 13)
    INSPECTION OF LIQUOR. Nearly 2,000 State-wide inspections were carried out and 19,270 bottles of spirits were examined. The standard as to trueness to label and compliance with regulations is high. There were only 2 prosecutions for applying false trade descriptions, 1 prosecution for adulteration of gin, and 1 prosecution regarding a sample of wine which did not comply with the requirements of the Health Act 1928. PUBLIC HEALTH BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY. During 1950, the work done by the Public Health Bacteriological Laboratory continued to increase. The total number of examinations increased by 13 per cent, over the previous year. Diseases on which considerable work was done include Diphtheria, Gastro-Enteritis, Nephritis, Venereal Disease, and Tuberculosis. The total number of examinations in T.B. rose by 63 per cent, over the previous year ; this was the result of the Anti-T.B. Campaign. Improvements in technique have enabled the extra work to be done without increase in staff, although members have had to work at high pressure and have put in many hours overtime. PRIVATE HOSPITALS. A statistical summary of the year’s activities in connection with private hospitals is included in Appendix A. As from 1st July, 1951, the powers of this Commission in regard to private hospitals are being transferred to the Hospitals and Charities Commission by the coming into operation of the Health (Hospitals) Act. REVIEW OF PROGRESS IN PUBLIC HEALTH LEGISLATION DURING 1950. Regulations. Eating Houses Regulations.—A general revision of the Eating Houses Regulations was carried out during the year 1950. Food and Drugs Standards Regulations.—These were amended to prescribe a standard for imitation cream and to vary the prohibitions regarding adulteration of food with poisonous substances. Meat Supervision Regulations.—An amendment provided for the use of an approved apparatus for Kosher killing and for the use of more humane methods in slaughtering generally. Benzene Regulations.—These are new regulations made to set out the precautions to be observed in those trades in which benzene is used. Offensive Trade Regulations.—An amendment was made to the Offensive Trade Regulations altering the requirements for the provision of laundries in such trades. Fairfield Hospital Regulations.—These were amended to provide for the treatment of additional exotic diseases at Fairfield Hospital. Cinematograph Operators Regulations.—An amendment was made to these regulations providing for the issue of licences to operators in small country districts. Building Regulations.—These were amended to clarify the duties of fire guards in public buildings. Cadmium Plating Regulations.—These are new Regulations to prohibit the use of cadmium as a plating on all food appliances. Much time has been spent on the revision of the Food Cleanliness Regulations, and the drafting of Regulations relating to bedding upholstery, and for the use of X-ray apparatus in shoe-fitting. Proclamations.—A proclamation was issued declaring Erythema nodosum, Exudative Pleurisy, and Rubella Infectious and Notifiable diseases. Pro-school Centres were proclaimed as Public Buildings under the Health Act.