Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales.

  • New South Wales. Department of Public Health.
Date:
[1946]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    9/140 (page 7)
    whom eight died of the disease). In 1945 infantile paralysis became epidemic. Cerebro-spinal meningitis occured in out¬ breaks coincident with troop concentration in the district. Constant supervision was kept on general sanitation in the district during the period under review and, despite shortage of material and labour, improvement has been achieved. Health publicity was continued and the public were found more co-operative than in previous years and prepared to act on advice given. A summary is given of the anti-tuberculosis work done at the Chest Clinic. Broken Hill and District (see page 124). The population of the Broken Hill Municipal District was 25,585 in 1941 and 27,600 in 1946, the deaths during the period 1941 to 1946 averaging yearly 255 and the births 612. The only notifiable infectious diseases of any frequency were scarlet fever and diphtheria. The Anti-Tuberculosis Clinic which commenced operations in Broken Hill in June, 1941, is justifying its existence. A great number of contacts of known positive cases of tuberculosis have been investigated. The total number of attendances in 1946 was 692. In December, 1941, Mantoux tests were performed on 108 inhabitants of the camp at the Aboriginal Station, Menindee. Of these nineteen only gave a positive reaction. The results indicated chiefly a family, and not a general, tuberculous infection among the inhabitants. The number of examinations carried out at the laboratory averaged 10,340 yearly for the period under review. There was a decrease in the bacteriological examinations and an increase in biochemical and haematological examinations. Dr. W. E. George, Medical Officer of Health, was absent during part of 1946 on a visit to Canada and the U.S.A. to investigate the use of aluminium in the prevention and treatment of silicosis. State Hospitals (see page 126). Liverpool State Hospital and Home for Men.—During the period 1941-1946 inclusive admissions totalled 15,755; dis¬ charges, 13,037; deaths, 2,806. The average daily number in hospital was 660. Outpatient attendances numbered 58,595 (15,760 individual attendances). Operations totalled 2,339 including 1,039 major operations. The new cancer block was completed and occupied in 1941 and various other structures and installations (including a cinema) were effected. Newington State Hospital and Home for Women.—During the period 1941-1946 inclusive admissions totalled 4,956; dis¬ charges, 3,773; deaths, 1,273. The average daily number in hospitdl was 545. Lidconibe State Hospital and Home for Men.—The Infec¬ tious Diseases Division at the Hospital was closed in 1941. During the period 1941-1946 inclusive admissions to the Hospital and General divisions totalled 15,640; discharges 12,021; deaths, 4,019. The average daily number of patients and inmates resident was 1,250. Strickland Convalescent Hospital for Men and Women.— During the period 1941-1946 inclusive admissions totalled 5,131, discharges 5,126 and deaths five. The average daily number of patients was forty-two women and twenty-five men. David Berry Hospital.—During the period 1941-1946 ward patients treated totalled 2,345; dicliarges, 2,138; deaths, 128. Outpatients totalled 1,418. Waterfall Sanatorium.—During the period 1941-1946 admis¬ sion of patients totalled 1,692, discharges of patients 1,587, and deaths of patients 266. The average daily number of patients resident was 355. Bandwick Auxiliary Hospital.—During the period 1941-1946 admissions totalled 1,618; discharges, 707; deaths, 945. The average daily number resident was 169. The various opera¬ tions performed are listed in the report. Most of the above institutions suffered from staff shortages during the period under review. Legislation. In 1942, amendments were made to the Regulations under the Noxious Trades Act and to the Bedding and Upholstery Regulations under the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1921. In 1943, an amendment was made to the Rag Dealer and Flock Maker Regulations under the Noxious Trades Act, 1902, respecting the keeping of rags on licensed premises. In 1944, the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1944, was assented to. By this Act the Public Health Act, 1902, as amended by subsequent Acts, is amended and may be cited as the Public Health Act, 1902-1944. The Noxious Trades Act, 1902, was amended and is now cited as the Noxious Trades Act, 1902-1944. In 1945, several proposed amendments to the Local Govern¬ ment Ordinances have been submitted to and approved by the Board of Health under section 26b of the Public Health Act, 1902-1944. Regulations governing Rag Dealers and Flock Makers were amended in order to provide additional control over those businesses or trades. The Public Health (Further Amendment) Act, 1944, amended the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1921. By such amend¬ ment better control is provided over the business of manufac¬ ture and repairing bedding, upholstery and other similar articles. The amendment of the Public Health Act, 1902, as amended by subsequent Acts and cited as the Public Health Act, 1902- 1944, has enabled Regulations to be made to control the use of Dangerous Substances for the purpose of fumigation. To this end Regulations controlling the use of Cyanide for fumi¬ gation purposes have been made and are now in operation. Those Regulations require persons who intend to use Cyanide for fumigation purposes to be licensed. Before such a licence can be obtained the applicant must submit himself to a medical, and a theoretical or practical test. The Local Government Act, 1919, was considerably amended to make better provision for the government of areas, to extend the powers and functions of local government bodies, to establish bodies to take common action on behalf of areas and for other purposes. In 1946, several proposed amendments to the Local Govern¬ ment Ordinances were submitted to and approved by the Board of Health under section 26b of the Public Health Act. During the year the business of Tanner was declared a Noxious Trade within the meaning of the Noxious Trades Act, 1902- 1944. VITAL STATISTICS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. (Summary Report for Years 1941 to 1946 inclusive.) (Prepared by the Government Statistician, Mr. S. R. Carver.) Population. The population of New South Wales at 31st December, 1946, was 2,962,932 of whom 1,481,172 were males and 1,481,760 females. During the six years 1941 to 1946 the total increase in population was 171,577 of which 169,260 was due to natural increase after accounting for deaths of defence personnel. Because of the war, gain by migration was negligible. Annual population statistics throughout the period are as shown below. The figures include New South Wales personnel enlisted in the defence forces irrespective of their whereabouts at any time. Refugees and evacuees are also included but Allied defence forces, enemy prisoners of war and internees from overseas are excluded. It is significant to note that in 1946 the number of females was greater than the number of males for the first time in the history of the State. Population—New South Wales—1941-1946. Year. Population at 31st December. Mean Population for Year. Natural Increase. Net Migration plus intercensal Adjustment. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. 1911 . 1,410,805 1,402,555 2,813,360 1,405,779 1,395,121 2,800,900 23,049 (—) 1,044 1942 . 1,428,067 1,420,411 2,848,478 1,419,495 1,411,920 2,831,415 19,436 15,682 1943 . 1,436,519 1,434,544 2,871,063 1,431,245 1,426,649 2,857,894 25,292 (—) 829 1944 . 1,449,933 1,451,498 2,901,431 1,443,456 1,443,120 2,886,576 30,865 (-) 497 1945 . 1,465,114 1,468,322 2,933,436 1,457,580 1,460,243 2,917,823 32,146 (-) 141 1946 . 1,481,172 1,481,760 2,962,932 1,471,910 1,473,814 2,945,724 38,472 (—) 8,976