Report of the Public Health Department / Western Australia.

  • Western Australia. Public Health Department.
Date:
[1928]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Public Health Department / Western Australia. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/32 (page 15)
    To meet the extra strain put upon the staff by this arrangement and in order that their main function of examining children in the schools shall not suffer, the sendees of a half-time officer were dispensed with and an additional full-time officer has been appointed. SCHOOL DENTAL WORK. The Department has now three full-time school dentists on the staff, a considerable portion of whose time is occupied in country districts whore dental facilities are not available. The Dental Hospital in Perth continues to do a very great amount of work for children referred from the schools. Reports showing the activities of the school dent¬ ists, and details of their work, will be found in Ap¬ pendix D. INSPECTION OF FOODSTUFFS ARRIVING! FROM OVERSEAS. The services of one officer of the Inspectorial staff are still retained for whole-time duty on Fremantle Wharf with the object of examining imported food¬ stuffs. The following table of foods seized and destroyed as unfit for consumption shows the justification for this constant supervision. The wholesale condemnations made in the past are gradually resulting in better packing of canned goods and more care in the transport, curing, and refrigera¬ tion of uncanned articles of food. Foodstuff seizures on Fremantle Wharf. 1927. 1928. Cod Fillets 18,718 lbs. 44,546 lbs. Silds ... 17,550 tins 7.319 tins Fresh Soles ... :uo lbs. 300 lbs. Haddock 2,310 lbs. 574 lbs. Kippers 70 lbs. 154 lbs. Schnapper- 11,956 lbs. Ling ... 300 lbs. ... * Barracoota 60 lbs. Salmon 151 lbs. Cod Roes 1,400 ,, Herrings in oil 6 barrels Beet .'. 1,163 lbs. 1,900 „ Pork. 366 „ 201 „ Mutton . . . 1,041 „ Hams ... * . • 546 ,, Bacon ... ... 90 „ Ox Tongues ... 20 „ 340 „ Ox Kidneys ... 6+ „ Ox Tripe 155 „ Potted Meat ... 400 „ Cheese 33 cases Condensed Milk 480 tins Cream 653 btle, Potatoes 200 lbs. 1,100 lbs. Beans ... 250 .. . . . Macaroni . . • 660 ., Prunes 336 .. Chestnuts . . . 107 „ Figs (dried) ... 60 ,. Dates ... . . . 60 „ Tomato Pulp 50 galh. Pineapple . . . ... 24 tin« Maize Meal ... 550 lbs. Rice Meal . . . . 26,000 lbs. Cream of Tartar ' 784 „ Tartaric Acid . . . ... 336 ,, Various—In tins • . . 1,305 tins In bottles ... ... 20 btle ANALYSES OF FOODS AND DRUGS. During 1927, 109 samples of food and 10 samples of drugs were submitted to the Government Analyst for examination. During 1928 the numbers were 189 and 17 respectively. These samples were taken with a view to deter¬ mining compliance or otherwise with the Food and Drug Regulations. MEAT INSPECTION. In Appendix G- are shown the numbers of the various food animals examined, and the carcases, part carcases and organs condemned by the Departmental Meat Inspectors during the two years under review. A review of the diseased conditions found shows the necessity for highly trained men in this branch of Public Health work, whilst the number of animals dealt with demonstrates the magnitude of the work. During 1928 the Veterinary Inspectors of the Agri¬ cultural Department ordered the slaughtering of 119 animals from dairies and elsewhere, and this was carried out at the abattoirs under the supervision of the Departmental Inspectors. Of those slaughtered 75 carcases were totally condemned, 26 partially so, and S were passed. Tuberculosis was found to be present in 85 cases. Of 59 animals which had reacted to the tuberculin test, 57 were found, on post-mortem examination, to lie tuberculous, whilst two showed no visible evidence of tuberculosis. SMALL SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATIONS. Local Health Authorities in the Metropolitan area are being confronted with the ever-increasing diffi¬ culty of disposing of the night-soil collected by means of the double-pan system. Increased population has necessitated extension of building areas, so that depots which have served the purpose for many years are now being strenuously objected to, whilst new sites suitable for the purpose are not obtainable within a reasonable distance. In order to meet the difficulty it has been con¬ sidered a feasible proposition to instal small septic tanks in certain districts where the nature of the ground is suitable and the probable extension of the sewerage system remote. In April, 1927, therefore, regulations were pub¬ lished under the provisions of an amendment to the Health Act, which brought the control of septic tanks under the Health Department, and required plans and specifications of these to be submitted and ap¬ proved before the work of installation commenced. By December, 1928, 1,2(59 small septic tank in¬ stallations had been approved and constructed. The principal districts concerned were: Claremont Road Board, 210 installations; Cottesloe, 302; and Pep¬ permint Grove, 188. In the latter district every house has now been provided with a tank and the sanitary depot closed. After two years’ experience of the small septic tank it can be said that the system lias more than fulfilled expectations, and throughout that period not one complaint has been received regarding any tank after the first few weeks of working, whilst the com¬ fort and convenience resulting appears to be greatly appreciated by everyone concerned.