Scarlet Fever - Doncaster 1875
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| Scarlet Fever Wikipedia |
Scarlet fever is still very prevalent, and has made its appearance in several parts of the colony. At Bulleen, Nunawading, and Berwick cases have occurred, and as the sufferers have been unable to obtain medical aid, the Central Board of Health has directed the local shire councils to provide the necessary attendance.
At Doncaster, scarlet fever has broken out in a family consisting of the mother and seven children, who resided in a small bark hut. The dimensions of the sole sleeping room were 7ft. by 7ft. and 4½ft. in height. Three children have been seized with the fever. The hut was in the vicinity of the state school, which, on the recommendation of the Central Board of Health has been closed for a time.
The regulations of the central board for the prevention of scarlet fever are as stringent as the Public Health Act will permit, but they do not deal with three important subjects, viz., the isolation of the patients, the disinfection of their clothing and bedding, and the stoppage of communication between the persons within the circle of infection and the outside public.
The Health Act requires amendment to enable the Central Board to deal with those matters, and the necessity for such amendment was urged on the Chief Secretary by the deputation which recently waited on him.
1875 'The Argus.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 16 November, p. 4. , viewed 30 Jun 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7425001
Health of Doncaster 1910
The health officer (Dr. Vaughan) in his annual report, which covered several pages of foolscap, congratulated the Doncaster shire council and the shire generally upon its comparative im-munity from sickness, even such forms as are peculiar to children, but the must gratifying portion of the report was the reference to infectious diseases. The medical officer's carefully kept re cords, extending over 10 years, places Doncaster in a somewhat unique and laudable position, and one that might well be the envy of tile surrounding districts. No cases of any form of infectious disease have occurred during the past year, and only one case of diphtheria during the past five years. Typhoid germs seem to have no place in Doncaster in which to lay their heads, for during the past thirteen years only one case has occurred, and that did not end fatally. The birth rate exceeds the death rate by 50 per cent, and Doncaster altogether seems a most desirable place to live in. In moving the adoption of the report, President Tully thought they should all be more than gratified at the con-dition of things in Doncaster,. and hoped they might long continue, in such a happy position. A letter of thanks was ordered to be sent to Dr. Vaughan.1910 'Health of Doncaster.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 29 April, p. 2. , viewed 16 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89698265
1910 'HEALTH OF DONCASTER.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 6 May, p. 10. , viewed 16 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1842967011913
'HEALTH OF DONCASTER.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 4 April, p. 4. , viewed 16 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90370296
Doncaster - March 1914 - Report by Health Officer - Dr. A.P. Vaughan.
Population of shire 1186, area of shire 13 1/2 square miles.Industries - fruit growing, Beneficial.
Vital statistics - Birth rate 20.3 per 1000, infantile mortality, 2.5 per 1000.
Water supply - Yan Yeah and rain water caught in cemented U.G. tanks and 6.1. and iron tanks of good quality and not liable to pollution.
Drainage - The drains are pitched, bricked or tile drains which convey the drainage to the cultivated land. As the ground was very hilly and the ground is thoroughly drained by subsoil drains the drainage is very efficient and dead ends are unknown.
Meat Supply - One butchers shop, kept in excellent sanitary condition.
Accommodation for the sick - None of a public nature. There is a sanatorium for consumptive cases at the eastern end of the shire.
Trade and domestic refuse - Burned in the gardens.
Night soil - Single pans are mostly used. Each householder sees to his own premises. The contents of the pans being buried in the cultivated ground and the pans disinfected.
Sanitary improvements - The usual road making and drainage
Food supplies - Samples are taken and sent for analysis.
The district with its good natural drainage and high elevation is well fitted to carry a large population under the most salubrious conditions.
The vital statistics for the shire during 1913 show a total of 24 births and 12 deaths, giving a net gain of 12. This shows a birth rate of 20.2 per 1000 and a death rate of 10.1 per 1000 for the year. With the exception of tubercle there has been no death from any infectious disease in the shire during the last ten years. As is usual in our figures the mortality is very small till we come to the figures for advanced age.
The infant mortality is above our usual rate, but all the deaths were due to congenital defects rather than illness. Only one death in eight years among infants from the diarrhoea type of disease speaks volumes for the healthy conditions under which children are reared in this district, and also textiles to the excellence of our milk supply.
On the whole the year just past has been a very satisfactory one from the health standpoint and shows how essential the individual care of each householder for the sanitation of his home is as a foundation for any sanitary system. The reputation of Doncaster as the healthiest district near Melbourne has been maintained.
A vote of thanks was passed by Crs. Clay and Crs. Cronin.
1990 09 DTHS Newsletter
HEALTH OF DONCASTER SHIRE 1916
The health officer (Dr. Vaughan) submitted the appended annual report to the meeting of Doncaster council on Tuesday night, March 14, upon health matters in the shire during the year ending December 31, 1915 :— The shire had been free from diphtheria and typhoid fever during the year. The following returns show population of shire, 1213; area of shire, 13 1/2 square miles; density of population, 90 per square mile. Industries— Fruit growing: Beneficial to health. Vital statistics — Birth rate, 11.5 per 1000; death rate, 4.9 per 1000. Infant mortality — None. Morbid statistics — One case of cerebro spinal meningitis. Water supply — Yan Yean and rain water, caught in underground, iron and galvanised iron tanks, of good quality and not liable to pollution. No analysis necessary. Peculiarities of water sup-ply — None. Drainage of towns — The drains are pitched, bricked, or tile, which convoy the sewage to the cultivated ground. As the district is very hilly, and the ground thoroughly drained by subsoil drains, which pro-vides a most efficient system of drain age, and there are no dead ends. Cemeteries — None. Meat supply Slaughter houses, none. Butchers shop — One, kept in excellent sanitary condition. The premises are inspected by the health inspector. Poultry yards regulation — By-laws, none necessary. Diseases among poultry— None. Common lodging houses — None. Accommodation of the sick: — None of a public nature. There is a sanatorium at the eastern end of the shire. Communicable diseases — One case of cerebro spinal meningitis. Street scavenging — None necessary beyond the ordinary attention to the drains by the day men. Trade and domestic refuse — Burned in the gardens. Nightsoil. Single pans mostly used ; each householder sees to his own premises, the contents of the pans being buried in the gardens and the pans disinfected. Schools — Design and sanitary condition good, but suffer ing from overcrowding. Sanitary improvement. The usual road making and drainage. Food supply — Samples are taken, and sent for analysis. Un-healthy dwellings — None. The vital statistics show a total of 14 births and 6 deaths in the shire during the year, giving a net gain of 8. With the exception of tubercle, there has been no death in Doncaster from any infectious disease during the last 12 years. Analysing the causes of death, there were three from senile decay, two from acute pulmonary diseases, and one from hepatic trouble. With the exception of one child, all the deaths this vear occurred among persons well over 80 years of age. The total age of the five deaths was 423 years, and the oldest reached the ripe age of 91 years.The average age at death was 84.6 years. Tho continued absence of the diarrhoea type from infant mortality is very satisfactory, this being the tenth year of such immunity. The year 1915 has been a most satisfactory one with regard to the continued absence of preventable disease, and affords a good illustration of the value of the individual care of the separate homes in promoting the sanitary welfare of the district. He took the opportunity to congratulate the council upon the excellent sanitary position maintained for so many years, and thanked council heartily for their active and intelligent interest manifested in all matters tending to improve the sanitation of the district and maintain the deservedly high reputation of Doncaster as the healthiest district about Melbourne.
1916 'HEALTH OF DONCASTER SHIRE.', Camberwell and Hawthorn Advertiser (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), 25 March, p. 7. , viewed 16 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153606696
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