HEALTH MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 18, 23 January 1901, Page 1

HEALTH MATTERS.

A LETTER TO GISBORNE COUNCIL. The Chief Health Officer has addressed a communication to the Gisborne Borough,. Council in regard to the Health Act. He writes: — The main features of the new Health Act are that a Minister of Health has been appointed, also a Chief Health Officer for the colony, and in due course District Health Officers will be appointed'for the various provincial districts.

One thing I should like to point out to your Council is this: that nothing in the Act of 1890 is intended to lessen or take away from local bodies the power and duties which were exercisable by them before the passing of the Act, only and except in so far as such powers were held in virtue of “ The Public Health Act, 1870,” which has been repealed : that is to say, boroughs and county councils still have the power—which power will, I hope, in all cases be exercised—to appoint medical officers of health and sanitary inspectors to advise and report to them upon the sanitary and insanitary conditions of tbe district under their control. The corporation of each of the larger cities and every county council ought to have a medical officer of health and a sanitary inspector of their own, and this for several reasons. The interests of a man who lives in the district are different from those of one who does not. It has doubtless been found that local feeling and interests have been inimical to just reforms in many cases, but not always so. It was never intended by the framers of the new Act to in any way destroy or alienate local patriotism or pride in the healthiness or beauty of a town or county. The district health officers and inspectors appointed by the Government are intended to supplement and aid the local officers, and it is hoped by this blending of local or, say, interested enthusiasm, and'general and independent supervision on the part of the Government officials, results will be obtained and reforms effected which were impossible under the old regime. Another important feature of the now Act is that powers have been r : ven to the central authority whereby, if requ : ed, reforms of an urgent nature can be effected without invoking the cumbersome and sometimes inefficient machinery provided by the Act of 1870. Local authorities there are that have been remiss in attending to thei„■ duties in the past, and it is only in such instances that the larger powers which have been conferred by the Act of 1900 are intended to be invoked. There is no intention or desire on the part of the central authority to interfere or coerce unless in such cases where ordinary magisterial procedure is found ineffectual. It is rather as “scientific advisers” on all matters that make for the betterment and physical welfare of the people that we wish the public health officials to be regarded. The scope of the department is not to be limited, however, to advision and help on purely sanitary matters. The • Government have decided to do what they have for several years been doing for the stock of the colony with the greatest advantage—that is, bring within the reach of the poorest the same facilities for curation as have hither been confined to the wealthier members of the community. Every district health officer will be a medical man skilled in bacteriology as well as sanitary matters, and provided with the proper equipment required for the early diagnosis of such cases as diphtheria, enteric fever (typhoid fever). Medical men in general practice have seldom the time .at their disposal for such work. Take, for instance, a case of sore throat in a district where diphtheria has occurred; it is of the most vital importance that the medical attendant should be absolutely certain whether ha has to deal with a ease of diphtheria or simply an affection of the throat simulating teat dangerous disease.

By a simple “bacteriological experiment” the true nature of the disease can be determined beyond all possibility of doubt within twelve or fourteen hours and the proper remedies administered. Medicines such as the various anti-toxines, which are generally costly, will be provided for the use of people who are unable to pay for them.