HEALTH OF THE WORKER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12777, 22 October 1919, Page 6

HEALTH OF THE WORKER.

' SCIENCE LAYS DOWN RULES S I (Melbourne “ Herald.”) The spirit of scientific inquiry is ‘ abroad to-day, writes Dr J. H. L. ’ Cumpston, Director of Quarantine, in , ‘‘Science and Industry,” the official , journal of the Institute of Science and Industry. Tho two great principles, continues Dr Cumpston, which form tho fouudar tion of preventive medicine, us it . should be, are accurate investigation ; acording to scientific rules and anti- ' cipatory provision against imminent ill. He declares that the modern ' Health Department should ho concerned with all matters which favourably or adversely affect the health. and I physical welfare of tho people, and should be actively concerned with keeping people well, rather than with keeping their back yards clean, or im- ' prisoning them in quarantine when an infectious disease occurs. If preventive medicine can bo applied, the doctor adds, in such a way | that the cause of any particular form t of ill-health can be discovered and removed, then industrial hygiene will , have ceased to be a mere catchword, | and will have begun to be a department of science having a real value to I the community. Ho quotes as an interesting example of partial success and partial failure in this respect the ill-health produced by the inhalation of aeroplane “dope” (the varnish with which aeroplane i wings were covered). In the earliest stages of the war, this' dope con- ' tained a poison, which gave rise to a ’ toxic jaundice among those engaged in 1 its manipulation and manufacture. Tn ' addition, numerous cases of less sew ere illness occurred. The manufacture of this particular dope was discontinued, ' and ihe characteristic illness at once : ceased. Among occupational conditions wliioh havo N to he seriously considered, he says, are the following:— Excessive long of work, cramped or constrained attitudes or , postures during work; prolonged or excessive muscular strain; mitohine accidents ; working in nnvcntilatcd or insufficiently ventilated premises ; imperfect lighting, and working with or in the presence of gases, vapours, poisonous or other imitating substances. While admitting that tho immediate duty of tho Commonwealth at tliis time is production, Dr Cumpston declares that it is much more important that in producing wealth tho worker shall not lose health. . “ There is not the concerted scientific investigation of cases of ill-health and death,” the doctor concludes, “that there should be. There is a magfiificont opportunity for a broad policy of the preservation of health along modern, well-established lines.”