Report on the public health / Southern Rhodesia.

  • Southern Rhodesia. Department of Health.
Date:
[1935]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the public health / Southern Rhodesia. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    35/42 (page 31)
    during the trypanosomiasis survey in the Zambesi Valley and elsewhere did not comprise any of particular importance. The most interesting was a highly sulphuretted alkaline thermal spring in the Sebungwe area. Milk Control.—In general the results again showed that analytical control has effected marked improvement in nutritional value. The fact that the average dairyman in various parts of the country appears to find no difficulty in supply¬ ing a product which conforms to the standard—which is 3 per cent, fat and 8.5 per cent, solids-not-fat—would appear to indicate that there is no sound basis for the suggestion (which has occasionally been made) that this standard is too high. None the less the fact that seven samples were found to be so inferior as to make it necessary to institute legal proceedings shows the importance of effective analytical control. Tinned Foodstuffs—As an adverse report may lead to the destruction of considerable stocks of high priced merchandise, these analyses are likely to throw particularly serious responsibility upon the chemist, who must entirely eliminate risk to the public and at the same time prevent manufacturers suffering un¬ necessary loss. During the year samples representative of three batches of tinned salmon were condemned. Control of Sale of Intoxicants to Natives.—Hop beer is the name given to miscellaneous brews, supposed to be non-intoxicating, which are sold freely in native eating-houses at threepence per quart bottle. The introduction of appreciable amounts of fermentable sugar and meal, sometimes in ignorance, but often with the intention of producing a good “sterrick” “best seller,” is likely to lead to dangerous conditions unless regular control is exercised. The majority of the samples were submitted by the C.I.D., and in 15 cases our affidavit reports led to convictions, with fines ranging from £2 to £6. It is interesting to note that the better type of native is looking to us for advice in these matters. They frequently come and ask whether their brewing formulae are likely to yield intoxicating products and ask for control analyses for which they are prepared to pay. Customs Control.—Now that we have our own collecting system there is an increased demand for the services of the Branch as referee in cases of disputed classification, in many of which considerable amounts of revenue are at stake. The usual type of case is that the importer states that the composition of the commodity in question is such as to give it free entry, or entry at low tariff rate, and this is challenged by the Customs. The questions put are of the most diverse nature; sometimes they can be answered by searching the literature, and at others the commodities have to be analysed. The records show that the activities of the Branch in this direction during the year have been of substantial financial benefit to the State. Another aspect of the Customs’ work is the protection of local producers against unscrupulous competition by ensuring that imports of such commodities as cheese, soap, etc., conform to prescribed standards of quality. Miscellaneous— Space forbids any serious review of the varied items com¬ prising this group, but a few cases may be mentioned to illustrate the scope. A sample of Stockholm tar was condemned because it was found to contain 51 per cent, water. Solid depositions which were causing trouble in a hospital hot-water system were analysed and suggestions for prevention were made. In addition to work in connection with the allocation of the Government Disinfec¬ tant contracts, four samples of paper were examined with a view to making the best selection from tenders for a large order intended for Government publica¬ tions. Amongst the other “miscellaneous’ samples were native anow poison, snuff (for drugs), a rheumatic “cure” (found to be merely a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid), a road surfacing preparation, etc. Lectures on the theory and practice of the scientific detection of crime have been continued with successive batches of police recruits and refresher groups. The results in keenness and efficiency are most gratifying. Advisory Duties—As the Government Institution dealing with applications of chemistry to matters not directly associated with mining and agriculture we are frequently consulted by Government Departments, and by the commercial, industrial and general public in matters of the most varied nature, such as the