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

  • Victoria. Commission of Public Health.
Date:
[1966]
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.

    27/32 (page 27)
    Subsequently, the Milk Board advised that the question of costs and problems with the disposal of containers at some schools would delay the adoption of such a scheme. The Commission finally decided that although the introduction of single service containers was considered desirable, it would not favour this measure being made compulsory at the present time. Rodent Control. Rat control work on wharves was confined to assistance and advice to the Melbourne Harbor Trust personnel who are now employed permanently on the various wharves and docks. Infestation has been reduced to a low level by the use of permanent baiting stations maintained in buildings and storage areas adjoining shipping berths. Throughout the State and in the City of Melbourne there have been isolated reports of damage caused by rats. Drainage works in newly developed outer suburban areas and the demolition of old buildings in the centre of Melbourne gave rise to temporary infestation until eradication measures were undertaken. During the year a number of rats from the Melbourne area were submitted for general bacteriological analysis. No human pathogens were isolated. Fly Control. The efforts of the Fly Control Committee during the past year, have been directed towards a consolidation of the progress made in previous years in educating the general public in fly control practices. The Municipal Association decided to continue with a similar anti-fly campaign to the one initiated last year, and this has been given improved support by councils in the metropolitan area with departmental officers assisting in the scheme in an advisory capacity. The campaign is organized along similar lines to the original pilot survey and programme that was carried out by this Department in the Moorabbin area some years ago, and if it is continued in future years, should play a major role in promoting successful fly control measures in the city and suburbs of Melbourne. It is considered that there has been a further decrease in the degree of house-fly infestation this year particularly in the metropolitan area, but there has been no improvement at all in regard to the numbers of bush flies which cause as much nuisance to the public as in previous years, resulting in a popular but erroneous conclusion by confusion with the house-fly, that there has been no reduction in the “ fly ” menace in Victoria this summer. The problem of bush flies has been referred to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization for investigation. A survey of house-fly breeding in racing stables has been carried out by this Department throughout the year, and results indicate that stricter control of manure disposal at these premises is necessary to reduce nuisance. There is as yet no solution to the problem of house-fly infestation on those poultry farms employing the method of culture known as the “ battery cage system ”. Central Cancer Registry. As in previous years the services of a Departmental Medical Officer have been made available on a part-time basis to assist with the collection and tabulation of data relating to all the cancer patients who attend the major public hospitals in Melbourne. Cancer Education. Medical Officers of this Department have assisted the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria during the year by giving cancer education talks throughout the State. A summary of these is as follows :— On exfoliative cytology .. .. .. .. .. ..41 On smoking and lung cancer .. .. .. .. 4 On general cancer topics .. .. .. .. 7 Total 52