THE CENTRAL BOARD OF HEALTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 136, 10 December 1875, Page 13

THE CENTRAL BOARD OF HEALTH.

At a meeting of the Central Board of Health, the following letter was read : — " Dunedin, December 2, 1875. " Sir, — I have the honour to respectfully suggest to the Central Board of Health the great importance — more particularly at the present time, when scarlet fever is so prevalent in Melbourne — of taking proper precautions against the introduction and spreading of that or any other infectious or contagious disease into this Colony by means of steamers arriving, particularly from that port. The local Board of Health is alive to the necessity of vigilance on its part ; but any efforts it may make must be inefficient in preventing the spread of scarlet or any other fever, unless the Central Board can exercise a fitting supervision as regards all arrivals, from Melbourne more particularly. " I would also venture to suggest to the Central Board of Health that it would be well to place before the medical profession resident in Dunedin and Port Chalmers the importance of their exercising every care that they may not themselves convey any contagious or infectious disease from patients to other persons. " Henkt Walter, " Chairman Local Board of Health." Tho Central Board having considered the above letter, the Superintendent telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary as follows : — " The Central Board of Health meet to-day to consider the question of preventing tho introduction of scarlet fever from Melbourne. Several cases have hem landed here, ex Ringarooma. As it was prevailing in Melbourne, it is feared that every steamer from Melbourne may bring it unless proper precaution be used. It was resolved that your attention should be called to the matter, with ji view of your communicating with Victoi'ia on the subject. It would be highly inexpedient to place steamers from Melbourne in quarantine." The reply sent to his Worship tho Mayor was substantially in accordance with the above telegram.