Report of the Director of Medical and Sanitary Services / [Ceylon].

  • Ceylon. Civil Medical Department.
Date:
[1932]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Director of Medical and Sanitary Services / [Ceylon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    51/110 (page 49)
    The following is a statement of work done in connection with milk control: — (a; Number of samples taken and sent for analysis (6) Number of samples found adulterated (c) Percentage of water varied from . . (if) Average adulteration (e) Number of persons prosecuted (/) Number convicted (9) Number warned and discharged . . (10) Amount of fines realized 250 182 6 per cent, to 65 per cent. 24.9 182 163 25 . .Rs. 1,556 Meat Inspection.—All cattle slaughtered were inspected before slaughter which took place in slaughter-houses provided by the local authorities. All meat stalls have to be licensed. For sale of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits, markets are generally provided in areas under local bodies. They have been supervised and maintained satis¬ factorily by the Inspectors in charge of the areas concerned. All foodstuffs exposed for sale were regularly inspected and prompt action was taken, where necessary, under the provisions of the general law dealing with food unfit for human consumption. The storage of rice is controlled by specific regulations in certain towns as a precautionary measure against plague. 7.—HEALTH EXITS. During 1932 no new units were established, but a commencement was made in enlarging the areas of three of the units, viz., those of Matara Gravets and Wellaboda pattu, Weudawili hatpattu, and Paranakuru korale. The work in these new areas consisted in carrying out health surveys. Area.—At the end of 1931, 850 square miles (incorrectly stated as 876 in 1931 report) has been taken up for work. During 1932, 41 square miles were added to the Weudawili Hatpattu Unit, 22 square miles to the Matara Gravets and Wellaboda Pattu Unit, and 56f square miles to the Paranakuru Korale Unit; making in all 969 square miles at the end of the year in which health unit work was being carried out. Population.—The population cared for by the Health Units has increased from 446,887 or 8.4 per cent, of the Island population to 522,750 or 9.8 per cent, in 1932. The population added by the extension of units was 16,257 in Weudawili hatpattu, 14,000 in Matara Gravets and Wellaboda pattu, and 37,078 in Paranakuru Korale Unit. Of the total population, 87,984 or 16.8 per cent, is urban and 434,766 or 83.2 per cent, is rural. Personnel.—The personnel employed is as follows :— 1931. Added. 1932. Medical Officers of Health 8 — 8 Medical Officer 1 — .. 1 Supervising Sanitary Inspector 1 — . . 1 Sanitary Inspectors 51 4 55 Public Health Nurses 12 4 .. 16 Mid wives 48 — . . 48 Clerks 9 — . . 9 Peons 8 — . . 8 Orderlies and labourers 11 — .. 11 In addition to the above, two Entomological Assistants and two Field Atten¬ dants were temporarily detailed for anopheline survey work in two units, viz., Weudawili hatpattu and Paranakuru korale. A hookworm dispenser was attached to each of the units for varying periods during the year. Du ring December the Medical Officers of Health, Trincomalee and Weudawili hatpattu along with another Medical Officer of Health, were given an intensive course in malaria work at Colombo for one week. The nurses who were in training completed their course and were posted to the various units thus providing every unit with at least one Public Health Nurse.