NRS-23937 | Infectious diseases register [Camden Council]

Under Part 3 of the Public Health Act 1896 (Act No.39a, 1896), every head of the family or medical practitioner attending a patient suffering from an infectious disease was to send to the local authority of the district a notice in writing stating the name of the patient, the situation of the house, and infectious disease from which, in the opinion of such medical practitioner, the patient is suffering, and such other particulars as may be prescribed. These notifications were complied into a register by the Council. (1)At the commencement of the Public Health Act, 1902 (Act No.30, 1902) Council was required to keep the register of infectious diseases. As the local authority, Council was notified of cases within the municipality by attending medical practitioners. Upon advice the premises were inspected and usually disinfected by the Council or the householder. (2)The registers contain handwritten entries in chronological order. They are hard covered volumes recording the following information: date of report; date of receipt of report; name of legally qualified medical practitioner notifying, patients name; sex; age; disease; address of premises; ward of municipality; milk supply; school; residence at date of attack; date of service of notice; if separate nightsoil service provided; if articles removed and disinfected by local authority; premises disinfected by local authority/by householder; and any matter requiring attention.Endnote1. Public Health Act 1896 (Act No.39a, 1896), Pt.3.2. NSW Government Gazette No.714, 12 December 1902, pp.8904, 8906 (cl.6 and Schedule B).