The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3975, 24 September 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1881.

An item in tbe Australian calograms, published in yesterday's issue, stated that the Chairman of the Central Board of Health of Victoria had announced that the Government of that coloDy had made arrangements, in the event of tbe small pox breaking out, to re vaccinate the entire population, and at the expense of the country. This example might with advantage be followed' by New Zealand, for at apy day it might be our painfnl duty to chronicle the advent of the disease in our midst. Forewarned is forearmed, and the Government of Victoria have shown commendable foresight in making the arrangements referred to by the Chairman of the Central Board of Health. Nor are we less interested on the Thames than the inhabitants of the great centres of population in the colony, for we have frequent and direct intercourse by our trading vessels with New South Wales, and, notwithstanding the exercise of the greatest care and attention, the disease may be carried to our doors. It is to be hoped that such a calamity is not awaitng us; yet we have at present scarlet fever amont; our children, and it is spreading, notwithstanding all the efforts of the local authorities, which would lead us to' infer that present arrangements are insufficient to cope with this disease. The remarks made by one of the Borough Councillors at Thursday's meeting, when proposing that the County authorities should be invited to act in unison with the Borough in the matter of sanitary precautions, would lead to the impression that up to the present there had not been that understanding between the bodies which should exist when masters of vital interest, such as the health of the inhabitants, are concerned. It is unnecessary for us to point out how futile are all the efforts of Borough Council, and how useless is the expenditure of large sums of money to prevent the spread of an infectious disease within',the municipality, if these efforts are not seconded by the authorities controling the adjoining districts. We have heard of scarlet fever patients in Grey street, across the Borough boundary being allowed to mix without supervision with the children of persons residing in the neighbourhood, and also with those resident in the Borough. Such laxity would not be allowed by the Borough Officer, and calls for the attention of the County Council representative. But besides the disease of scarlet fever, many other infectious diseases may break out, and as isolation in their own homes or removing persons afflicted with such diseases to an institution specially provided for their treatment, is now universally admitted to be the most effective means of dealing with such, the necessity for having an infectious disease hospital on the Thames is apparent. This matter was also referred to at the late meeting of the Borough Council, and we trust to see the Mayor and County Chairman giving attention to the subject. The Governtuent, it is well known, are now responsible for the cost of all Hospitals, Orphanages, and Charitable Aid Institutions, and therefore such a necessity as the Hospital we are advocating should be pointed out to the Colonial Secretary, and a vote for the purchase or erection of the Hospital asked for. The matter is altogether within the province of the local authorities, and any neglect of duty on. thoir part in this matter will receive universal censure.