Decreasing Disease in South Africa

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 184, 7 August 1939, Page 3

Decreasing Disease in South Africa

In South Africa both the Union Gov ernment and the mine owners have

given increasing attention iu recent years to measures designed to decrease the incidence of disease amongst native workers in the Rand gold mines. In consequence, housing and dietetic conditions have been greatly improved and intensive investigation has been made into methods for controlling disease, of which tuberculosis and pneumonia are amongst the most important. It was found that the incidence of and mortality rate from pneumonia and other aiute respiratory diseases was highest among underground native labourers, not only because their work is more arduous but also by reason of the fact that such workers are subjected to considerable changes in temperature below and above ground. It was therefore decided to test the effect of issuing a woollen outer garment to protect the worker against ehilling during the unavoidable periods of delay in draughty places or on coming to the surface. The general practice of issuing an army tunic or other wool garment to mine labourers was decided upon in 1935, and in consequence there has been, in the opinion of mine medical officers, a steady decrease in the incidence ol pneumonia and other pulmonary complaints.