CONCERNING THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2168, 26 August 1907, Page 1

CONCERNING THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

DR. MASON MAKES STRONG APPEAL. DISREGARD OF VACCINATION LAWS. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, August 23. In his annual report Dr. Mason deals at great length with matters relating to inibjic health. lie draws attention to the lamentable disregard of tiho law relating to vaccination. He states that the introduction of the so-called “conscientious cfasuo” into the English Act in 1597 made it difficult for the believers in tlio efficiency of vaccination to insist on its being made compulsory. Under the Public Health Act, 1900, to grant a certificate of exemption because a parent simply states that he conscientiously believes that to vaccinate his child would bo to injure it, is practically to leave the matter in the hands of the parent. Last year, out of 2-1,021 children born 4480 wore vaccinated, and 290' were exempted, leaving 10,871 unaccounted for. Over SI per cent, of the children born in 1906-7 are unprotected against small-pox—a deplorable state of things. That, however, is not the worst aspect of ithe question. Apparently a lar"e section of the community are passively breaking a law passed by the Legislature, while a noisy few iarc .actively opposing it. To prosecute 09 per cent, of the parents is impracticable; not to carry out the law is demoralising to everyone. My instructions generally are to prosecute rich and poor, taking a few case 6at a time. The time has come when all parents who have not-had their children vaccinated or obtained a certificate of exemption should be .brought before the magistrate.

QUACKS AND T QUACKERY. In regard to quacks and quackery. Dr. Mason Says: —“In virtue of the power given in sub-secti'ons D and E of the Postal Act of last session, most of -the vultures who fattened on tike fears of tlio misguided vouth or the simplicity of the elderly man about town, have, so to speak, been warned off the course. Their .letters, hu, earthing the most tender solicitude and interest in their clients, have ceased to reach their victims, and in consequence mlany of .them have sought fresh pastures and fields. A few, it can bo readily, understood, of .these bleeders of the neurotic, faced ayitill the possible exclusion from operating in such valuable seams as undoubtedly exists in all countries, have used scch weapons as might lie expected. Newspapers have been threatened by loss of revenme, the cry of .medical oppression has been raised, whilst some have even stooped to bribery, yet, despite it all, I am pleased to place on .record the fact that any paper of standing in the colony has agreed not only to accept the Post-master-General's ruling .glladl.v, but lias endeavored in every possible •way to throw out questionable advertisements.” HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN. In reference to medical inspection of school children, it is suggested that instead of the medical .inspector sorting out the abnormal from the .normal, this should be done by tlio teacher. It is .proposed that the schoolmaster should keep la list of all the pupils who, >in his opinion, are below normal in health. This list, would be given to the .medical inspector at his visit. Thus instead of having to examine the whole school his time .would be spent over some 10 or 12 per cent. With this reduced number i.t would.bo possible for four or five -officers to examine all tlio schools ill .the colony. ALARMING INFANT MORTALITY. There ■ are some pertinent remarks ,in. the report regarding the necessit.y_ for pure food. “Last year,” says D.r. Mlason, “70 out of every 1000 male children born and 64 out. of every 1000 female children died before attaining the age of 1 year; that is, 1 in every 14 boys born and 1 in every 18 .girls’died within 12 mouths of their bintliK. Though infra-lit mortality is low compared with England, Wales, and other countries, yet an .analysis of the ailments shows clearly that ill-feeding is .at the 'bottom of a large majority of them. .It is the opinion of the Chief Officer that with a pure..milk -supply and proper care on the paTt of the p'arcM litis, most of the deaths would have been •averted. TJie scheme of supplying humanised milk .in Duned'iiij which has been brought iabout by the enthusiasm and -agency of Du*. Truby King, has been productive of great- good. _ The hope is expressed that companies, -if not municipalities, din each of tlio large centres will tlake up this work pending itho adoption of a scheme which would embrace the whole milk supply.