PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 1033 
preventing every case from becoming a new and active centre for 
the diffusion of the disease, and disinfection, in seeking to destroy 
the microbic life in the patient’s discharges, ‘clothes, and premises 
occupied by him, affords in the same way a barrier to the spread 
of infection. It is quite true that all cases of an infectious or 
communicable nature need not be made subject to isolation ; the 
natural history of the microbe will determine this point. The 
real issue is that isolation and disinfection, when required, should 
be efficient ; but this efficiency can only be secured by the 
adoption of arrangements for the reception of infectious cases as 
such, and by the organisation of a corps of men, practised in the 
work of disinfection, and ready at all times to carry out promptly 
the duties of their office. It is self-evident that few local 
authorities can or would respond to this demand, and, consequently, 
we find, as a matter of fact, that neither isolation nor disinfection 
on a public scale has been attempted. 
I have already commented upon the important position 
bacteriological laboratories sustain in any system of public hygiene. 
From their achievements has come all the knowledge that is now 
seeking to bring about a more intelligent and effective management 
of infectious diseases ; and it is most encouraging to find that 
the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria have each 
recently either organised a laboratory or aftiliated an existing one. 
The Children’s Hospital in South Australia has for at least two 
and a half years, under the spirited direction of an honorary 
officer, Dr. Borthwick, maintained its own laboratory, and has 
already done excellent work for the medical profession and the 
public. Only the poverty of the Public Treasury, so it is said, 
prevents the Government of South Australia from assisting in the 
maintenance of this well- -equipped laboratory. In each case the 
several Governments recognise their own ‘responsibility i in pro- 
viding this important adjunct to the Department of Public 
Health. 
The inspection of food supplies for human consumption has 
been legislated for in each of the colonies of New South Wales, 
Victoria, and South Australia. The most lamentable ineffective- 
ness, however, characterises the work of inspection, and every 
other aspect of the public administration of communicable 
diseases. It is said that even England is twenty years behind 
several continental countries in this respect; but, if so, 
Australia is twenty years behind that again. So feebly is the 
law carried into effect that Central or State Boards of Health, as 
well as Parliamentary Select Committees, have declared that this 
important duty should be performed by the State. After five 
years’ experience (1890-1895) of their otherwise admirable Act, 
the Victorian Board expresses its views in these terms:—‘ Dangers 
also of a most serious nature are incurred as a result of want of 
