RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICERS

It was the function of inspectorsunder the control of the FactoriesDepartmentof the Home Office to control and enforce these provisions. Under the Factories Act not only was it necessaryto instal apparatuscalculatedto preventaccidents,but regulations were issued with the object of protecting workersfrom the resultsof the work on which they were engaged. Habits suchas shuttle-kissingwhich were commonly employedto save time, labour and energy, were prohibited. The evil effects of dust and smoke wererecognizedand efforts were made to mitigate them. The institution of such reforms openedup a spherewhich necessarilycalled for the whole-heartedcooperationof the medicalprofession. The names of Sir Arthur Whitelegge, Dr. Legge and Dr. Collis stand out prominently among those who give of their time and energyand devotion to this important work. Eventually a ministry of health arosein England and under its regis industrial hygienehas progressed. Born in England, it spread to the continent of Europe and thence to America. The Americanstook the subjectup with characteristicenergyand zeal and have beenamong its most ardent apostles. It thus happenedthat when the Commonwealth Department of Health decided to take steps to safeguardthe health of personsengagedin industrial pursuits, it became allied with the InternationalHealth Board of the Rockefeller Foundation. The servicesof Dr. A. J. Lanza were loaned to the Commonwealthduring a limited period for the purposeof organizing and advising in regardto the necessaryactivities. That period has now terminatedand the work is in the capable hands of Dr. D. G. Robertson and Dr. Frank Kerr. It was straightway recognizedthat regulations could not be drawn up, nor could an industrial hygiene campaignbe starteduntil some knowledge had been gained of the nature of the hazardswhich affected 01' were likely to affect the workers in the several industries in Australia. The work so far hasbeen spadework. There is not much to flaunt in the eyes of an admiring public. The foundation which is being laid, however, is solid and on it a useful superstructurewill assuredly be built. The States are awakening to the importanceof health in industry and in one at any rate a medicalofficer of industrial hygienehasbeen appointedin connexionwith the Board of Health.