- Email: [email protected]
INDUSTRIALISM IN INDIA.
154
THE
MEDICINE AND THE LAW.
(FROM
Escape
of Child from Institution.
LÜBECK TRIAL.
OUR BERLIN
CORRESPONDENT.)
(Continued from
p.
102.)
ACTS of Parliament are ineffective if they march ahead of public opinion. In particular, measures of IT was that the of witnesses and of social reform which involve official interference with nedical expectedwould endhearing on Jan. llth, and that experts family life encounter a resistance from parents whichafter an interval of three the
days public prosecutor, magisterial authority (reflecting public opinion in;ounsel for parents, and counsel for the accused some degree) seems disinclined to quell. Prosecutions nedical men and nurse will plead. The verdict will under Section 12 of the Children Act, where a parent1hus not be pronounced before Jan. 20th. refuses to allow a child to undergo some necessary rhis probably trial will thus finally be closed after a long and proper surgical operation, are not unfamiliar ; iuration of about three months. the magistrates realise that the parents’ feelings are In the course of the trial the question was discussed natural if mistaken and, as a rule, they explore anywhether the disaster could have been avoided if the expedient sooner than impose a penalty. A similarphysicians had not assumed that the infant G., the tendency appears in recent proceedings underfirst victim, had suffered from congenital tuberculosis. Section 53 of the Mental Deficiency Act against aProf. Schurmann, of Berlin, gave evidence that after mother for assisting her daughter to escape from an the administration of the vaccine swelling of the institution. There was a summons also against the cervical glands had developed. In congenital tuberfather for secreting his daughter. For the London culosis an isolated swelling of the cervical glands, County Council it was explained that the child had without other symptoms, seldom occurred. The attended various mental deficiency schools and in infant first who showed such been the G., having April last was recommended for treatment at an symptoms after the administration of the B C G, it institution in Hampshire. Last September she was would have been better to consider the possibility allowed out with her mother on the understanding that the disease had been caused that administraby that she would return the same evening. She did not tion. If the attending physician had known that in return and eventually was found at her parents’ house the laboratory the B C G was cultivated together with in Islington. The father told the local authority’s virulent tubercle bacilli he would certainly have had officer that the girl was in a good situation and had a that suspicion. Unfortunately there was only little good home. He refused information and invited collaboration between the physician of the children’s prosecution ; I will go to prison," he said, " it is hospital, Prof. Klotz, and the head of the laboratory, a shame she is not to be allowed out." When the Prof. Prof. Deycke’s duty as a bacteriologist Deycke. case came before the Clerkenwell police-court, the would have been to stop the distribution of the tubes magistrate invited the legal representatives on both as soon as he was informed that an infant had become sides to confer. As a result the L.C.C. representative until he had tested in animals the condition of said that, if the child was allowed to go back to the ill, the emulsions. Prof. Klotz replied that he had reasons Hampshire home, he would do all in his power to to believe that the infant G. suffered from congenital facilitate action by the parents to have the order set tuberculosis, because the mother was tuberculous. aside ; the parents’ representative assented to this When the glandulars welling extended he had removed compromise. The metropolitan police-court bench is a piece of a gland for bacteriological examination, to to-day unusually rich in able and experienced magis- ascertain whether B C G or human bacilli were present. trates. They use their discretion to the great The examination of the gland had convinced him that advantage of us all. But such reluctance to the case was one of congenital tuberculosis. He was enforce the law teaches the social reformer the still of that opinion, because tuberculosis could not lesson that there are limits to what can be achieved be so soon after the administration of the acquired by mere Act of Parliament. B C G. In fact, the other infants became ill only r
"
Dangerous Drugs
Act:
Charge against
Medical Attendant.
George attendant,
Edward Williams, described
as
a
medical
several weeks afterwards. He had not been informed that in Lubeck not only infants from tuberculous families, but all the new-born children were to be treated with the B C G.
charged at Marlborough-street policecourt a fortnight ago with being in unauthorised possession of morphine sulphate and cocaine hydrochloride contrary to the Dangerous Drugs (Consolidation) Regulations of 1928. A representative of the was
Director of Public Prosecutions outlined the case against him. It was alleged that Williams was acquainted with a Dr. Kirton, who formerly had a surgery at Foley-street, and that, when Dr. Kirton left, Williams took a lease of the premises and practised there as a doctor. Chemists gave evidence that they had supplied drugs to him in the belief that he was a registered medical practitioner. It is alleged that in one case he actually prescribed a dangerous
INDUSTRIALISM IN INDIA. A REPORT FROM BENGAL.
A SAMPLE of Indian industrial conditions is provided the annual report for 1930 on the administration of the Indian Factories Act in Bengal. The number of registered factories had increased from 1482 to 1555 since the previous year but of these 111 did not work at all, this number including 44 rice mills, 17 oil mills, 14 general engineering workshops, and 11 jute presses. The number of operatives was 441,511, as drug. against 466,741 in the previous year, and even in 1930 On remand last week it was stated that a further there had been changes in the general conditions of charge of forgery is likely to be preferred. The workers and their wages as a result of the industrial case was adjourned pending the completion of depression. Many mills had to revert to the single shift, and various modifications were made in the inquiries.
by
155
weekly and monthly working hours. In the Children are evidently on the alert to discover cases jute mills, for instance, in July, 1929, the working of abuse. Only children of 12 years or more are hours were increased from 54 to 60 per week, the eligible for employment in factories. The report is not optimistic about sanitary arrangelonger hours resulting in increased earnings. In July, 1930, they reverted to the 54-hour week, and in ments. In the larger factories hygienic conditions addition closed down completely for one week in each have made moderate progress, but in the smaller month ; but compensation was given for the shorter little improvement is manifest. Even where good week in the form of an increase in wage rates, and a latrine accommodation is provided it is often abused. subsistence allowance was paid during the week of In the smaller factories conditions are commonly idleness. Some decrease in the average monthly abominable, and repeated prosecutions seem to have earnings was inevitable, but owing to these measures little effect. Some advance is being made in the it was only slight. Considering the circumstances, installation of septic tanks, and the Willas aerobic total emoluments seem to have been maintained septic tank is mentioned favourably. One difficulty is the uncleanly habits of the mill hands, who fresurprisingly well. The architectural features of many considerable quently use surface drains for latrine purposes, thus factories still leave much. to be desired, and, owing fouling the effluent. Complaint is made of the fouling to primitive conditions, it is not always possible to of the Hooghly river, which furnishes part of the enforce the regulations rigidly. One case is quoted I, water-supply of Calcutta, in this way. It is suggested where immediate enforcement would have thrown ’, that legislation should be provided which would give 2000 people out of work, but a remedy was eventually no option to the intending employer of a certain found during a change-over to electric power. The number of workers but to erect a septic tank latrine. Ventilation also is the despair of the factory premises of half the registered printing presses are ordinary dwelling-houses, and are not as a rule inspector, owing to the unsuitable premises in which satisfactorily lighted or ventilated. Trouble arises in many of the smaller firms carry on their work, but such cases from injurious gases, and lead poisoning is special attention is being paid to manufacturing a serious problem. Many orders were issued during processes in which dust and fumes are generated. the year to printing presses, but it is evidently very A dry-battery factory and an electric steel foundry difficult to get reasonable precautions against lead are cited as instances in which orders were issued poisoning carried out. Washing can usually be for the installation of extractor fans in large establisharranged for, but even in the larger presses food ments, but in the smaller factories the cost of such a precautions are a difficulty, owing to the impossibility system would be prohibitive. It is surprising to of getting people of different races and castes to eat read that tea factories are amongst the worst offenders together. It is a common practice for employees to for the generation of dust. The present depression bring their dinner with them, and keep the food of the industry is an obstacle to progress in the way beside them while at work. This difficulty has been of fitting efficient trunk systems for the removal of met in a large railway press by having three separate tea fluff. mess-rooms for Hindus, Mohammedans, and AngloApart from a severe epidemic of malaria in the Indians, but it is obviously impossible for the smaller Calcutta area the general health of operatives was establishments to make such arrangements. The normal. Maternity benefit schemes have been very of lead states that the prevalence report poisoning, successful, and are greatly appreciated by the workers. An important development which is attributed to even in registered printing presses, cannot be denied, while investigation of the appalling conditions in the Whitley Commission was the decision of the Indian Jute Mills Association to establish welfare some of the unregistered presses suggests that it must be much more prevalent in them. centres, baby clinics, and creches in all mills within their membership. The result of a general survey of the housing conditions of the larger factories is distinctly encouraging. In spite of lean years considerable advance THE SERVICES is being made in Calcutta, as in Bombay, where a large amount of excellent accommodation is available ROYAL NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE. in great blocks of flats, the chief difficulty being to is H. H. on the retd. list.
total
Surg.-Comdr. Ormsby placed induce the workers to leave their slum dwellings to Surg.-Comdr. C. J. Aveling is placed on the retd. list inhabit them. But, with the exception of tea fac- with the rank of Surg. Capt. tories, in the smaller concerns employees usually have ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE. to fend for themselves, usually in mean and conLt.-Comdr. R. H. 0. B. Robinson is placed on the Surg. gested areas. In tea factories, labour recruited from retd. list at his own request. jungle areas in the north often prefers flimsy bamboo ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS. huts, thatched with grass, to more permanent Maj. (temp. Lt.-Col.) J. C. L. Hingston to be Lt.-Col. dwellings, one reason being the superstitious custom Maj. A. E. B. Jones to be temp. Lt.-Col. of firing a hut after a death in it, to drive away evil Capt. F. V. Cant relinquishes his temp. commn. and retains the rank of Capt. spirits. The average number of women employed during TERRITORIAL ARMY. the year in registered factories was 73,951, as against Lt. E. T. Colville, from Active List, to be Lt. ’
77,966 in 1929, and of children 16,630, as against 23,036. The general tendency in jute mills is to
eliminate children, and out of 91 mills 45 have dispensed with child labour entirely, despite the fact that children, on account of their height, are better fitted than adults for the shifting work on spinning frames. Generally speaking, it appears that the conditions of employment of both women and children are improving, and both the Government inspectors and the Society for the Protection of
INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE. Lt.-Col. L. Cook to be Col. ROYAL AIR FORCE. is
Group Capt. H. Cooper, Honorary Surgeon placed on the retd. list.
to The
King,
COLONIAL SERVICE. has been appointed M.O., Boundary N. J. Abbensetts Dr. Commission, British Guiana ; Dr. L. R. Levy, M.O., Jamaica ; and Dr. D. C. Ogilvie, M.O., Leeward Islands.
THE
MEDICINE AND THE LAW.
(FROM
Escape
of Child from Institution.
LÜBECK TRIAL.
OUR BERLIN
CORRESPONDENT.)
(Continued from
p.
102.)
ACTS of Parliament are ineffective if they march ahead of public opinion. In particular, measures of IT was that the of witnesses and of social reform which involve official interference with nedical expectedwould endhearing on Jan. llth, and that experts family life encounter a resistance from parents whichafter an interval of three the
days public prosecutor, magisterial authority (reflecting public opinion in;ounsel for parents, and counsel for the accused some degree) seems disinclined to quell. Prosecutions nedical men and nurse will plead. The verdict will under Section 12 of the Children Act, where a parent1hus not be pronounced before Jan. 20th. refuses to allow a child to undergo some necessary rhis probably trial will thus finally be closed after a long and proper surgical operation, are not unfamiliar ; iuration of about three months. the magistrates realise that the parents’ feelings are In the course of the trial the question was discussed natural if mistaken and, as a rule, they explore anywhether the disaster could have been avoided if the expedient sooner than impose a penalty. A similarphysicians had not assumed that the infant G., the tendency appears in recent proceedings underfirst victim, had suffered from congenital tuberculosis. Section 53 of the Mental Deficiency Act against aProf. Schurmann, of Berlin, gave evidence that after mother for assisting her daughter to escape from an the administration of the vaccine swelling of the institution. There was a summons also against the cervical glands had developed. In congenital tuberfather for secreting his daughter. For the London culosis an isolated swelling of the cervical glands, County Council it was explained that the child had without other symptoms, seldom occurred. The attended various mental deficiency schools and in infant first who showed such been the G., having April last was recommended for treatment at an symptoms after the administration of the B C G, it institution in Hampshire. Last September she was would have been better to consider the possibility allowed out with her mother on the understanding that the disease had been caused that administraby that she would return the same evening. She did not tion. If the attending physician had known that in return and eventually was found at her parents’ house the laboratory the B C G was cultivated together with in Islington. The father told the local authority’s virulent tubercle bacilli he would certainly have had officer that the girl was in a good situation and had a that suspicion. Unfortunately there was only little good home. He refused information and invited collaboration between the physician of the children’s prosecution ; I will go to prison," he said, " it is hospital, Prof. Klotz, and the head of the laboratory, a shame she is not to be allowed out." When the Prof. Prof. Deycke’s duty as a bacteriologist Deycke. case came before the Clerkenwell police-court, the would have been to stop the distribution of the tubes magistrate invited the legal representatives on both as soon as he was informed that an infant had become sides to confer. As a result the L.C.C. representative until he had tested in animals the condition of said that, if the child was allowed to go back to the ill, the emulsions. Prof. Klotz replied that he had reasons Hampshire home, he would do all in his power to to believe that the infant G. suffered from congenital facilitate action by the parents to have the order set tuberculosis, because the mother was tuberculous. aside ; the parents’ representative assented to this When the glandulars welling extended he had removed compromise. The metropolitan police-court bench is a piece of a gland for bacteriological examination, to to-day unusually rich in able and experienced magis- ascertain whether B C G or human bacilli were present. trates. They use their discretion to the great The examination of the gland had convinced him that advantage of us all. But such reluctance to the case was one of congenital tuberculosis. He was enforce the law teaches the social reformer the still of that opinion, because tuberculosis could not lesson that there are limits to what can be achieved be so soon after the administration of the acquired by mere Act of Parliament. B C G. In fact, the other infants became ill only r
"
Dangerous Drugs
Act:
Charge against
Medical Attendant.
George attendant,
Edward Williams, described
as
a
medical
several weeks afterwards. He had not been informed that in Lubeck not only infants from tuberculous families, but all the new-born children were to be treated with the B C G.
charged at Marlborough-street policecourt a fortnight ago with being in unauthorised possession of morphine sulphate and cocaine hydrochloride contrary to the Dangerous Drugs (Consolidation) Regulations of 1928. A representative of the was
Director of Public Prosecutions outlined the case against him. It was alleged that Williams was acquainted with a Dr. Kirton, who formerly had a surgery at Foley-street, and that, when Dr. Kirton left, Williams took a lease of the premises and practised there as a doctor. Chemists gave evidence that they had supplied drugs to him in the belief that he was a registered medical practitioner. It is alleged that in one case he actually prescribed a dangerous
INDUSTRIALISM IN INDIA. A REPORT FROM BENGAL.
A SAMPLE of Indian industrial conditions is provided the annual report for 1930 on the administration of the Indian Factories Act in Bengal. The number of registered factories had increased from 1482 to 1555 since the previous year but of these 111 did not work at all, this number including 44 rice mills, 17 oil mills, 14 general engineering workshops, and 11 jute presses. The number of operatives was 441,511, as drug. against 466,741 in the previous year, and even in 1930 On remand last week it was stated that a further there had been changes in the general conditions of charge of forgery is likely to be preferred. The workers and their wages as a result of the industrial case was adjourned pending the completion of depression. Many mills had to revert to the single shift, and various modifications were made in the inquiries.
by
155
weekly and monthly working hours. In the Children are evidently on the alert to discover cases jute mills, for instance, in July, 1929, the working of abuse. Only children of 12 years or more are hours were increased from 54 to 60 per week, the eligible for employment in factories. The report is not optimistic about sanitary arrangelonger hours resulting in increased earnings. In July, 1930, they reverted to the 54-hour week, and in ments. In the larger factories hygienic conditions addition closed down completely for one week in each have made moderate progress, but in the smaller month ; but compensation was given for the shorter little improvement is manifest. Even where good week in the form of an increase in wage rates, and a latrine accommodation is provided it is often abused. subsistence allowance was paid during the week of In the smaller factories conditions are commonly idleness. Some decrease in the average monthly abominable, and repeated prosecutions seem to have earnings was inevitable, but owing to these measures little effect. Some advance is being made in the it was only slight. Considering the circumstances, installation of septic tanks, and the Willas aerobic total emoluments seem to have been maintained septic tank is mentioned favourably. One difficulty is the uncleanly habits of the mill hands, who fresurprisingly well. The architectural features of many considerable quently use surface drains for latrine purposes, thus factories still leave much. to be desired, and, owing fouling the effluent. Complaint is made of the fouling to primitive conditions, it is not always possible to of the Hooghly river, which furnishes part of the enforce the regulations rigidly. One case is quoted I, water-supply of Calcutta, in this way. It is suggested where immediate enforcement would have thrown ’, that legislation should be provided which would give 2000 people out of work, but a remedy was eventually no option to the intending employer of a certain found during a change-over to electric power. The number of workers but to erect a septic tank latrine. Ventilation also is the despair of the factory premises of half the registered printing presses are ordinary dwelling-houses, and are not as a rule inspector, owing to the unsuitable premises in which satisfactorily lighted or ventilated. Trouble arises in many of the smaller firms carry on their work, but such cases from injurious gases, and lead poisoning is special attention is being paid to manufacturing a serious problem. Many orders were issued during processes in which dust and fumes are generated. the year to printing presses, but it is evidently very A dry-battery factory and an electric steel foundry difficult to get reasonable precautions against lead are cited as instances in which orders were issued poisoning carried out. Washing can usually be for the installation of extractor fans in large establisharranged for, but even in the larger presses food ments, but in the smaller factories the cost of such a precautions are a difficulty, owing to the impossibility system would be prohibitive. It is surprising to of getting people of different races and castes to eat read that tea factories are amongst the worst offenders together. It is a common practice for employees to for the generation of dust. The present depression bring their dinner with them, and keep the food of the industry is an obstacle to progress in the way beside them while at work. This difficulty has been of fitting efficient trunk systems for the removal of met in a large railway press by having three separate tea fluff. mess-rooms for Hindus, Mohammedans, and AngloApart from a severe epidemic of malaria in the Indians, but it is obviously impossible for the smaller Calcutta area the general health of operatives was establishments to make such arrangements. The normal. Maternity benefit schemes have been very of lead states that the prevalence report poisoning, successful, and are greatly appreciated by the workers. An important development which is attributed to even in registered printing presses, cannot be denied, while investigation of the appalling conditions in the Whitley Commission was the decision of the Indian Jute Mills Association to establish welfare some of the unregistered presses suggests that it must be much more prevalent in them. centres, baby clinics, and creches in all mills within their membership. The result of a general survey of the housing conditions of the larger factories is distinctly encouraging. In spite of lean years considerable advance THE SERVICES is being made in Calcutta, as in Bombay, where a large amount of excellent accommodation is available ROYAL NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE. in great blocks of flats, the chief difficulty being to is H. H. on the retd. list.
total
Surg.-Comdr. Ormsby placed induce the workers to leave their slum dwellings to Surg.-Comdr. C. J. Aveling is placed on the retd. list inhabit them. But, with the exception of tea fac- with the rank of Surg. Capt. tories, in the smaller concerns employees usually have ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE. to fend for themselves, usually in mean and conLt.-Comdr. R. H. 0. B. Robinson is placed on the Surg. gested areas. In tea factories, labour recruited from retd. list at his own request. jungle areas in the north often prefers flimsy bamboo ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS. huts, thatched with grass, to more permanent Maj. (temp. Lt.-Col.) J. C. L. Hingston to be Lt.-Col. dwellings, one reason being the superstitious custom Maj. A. E. B. Jones to be temp. Lt.-Col. of firing a hut after a death in it, to drive away evil Capt. F. V. Cant relinquishes his temp. commn. and retains the rank of Capt. spirits. The average number of women employed during TERRITORIAL ARMY. the year in registered factories was 73,951, as against Lt. E. T. Colville, from Active List, to be Lt. ’
77,966 in 1929, and of children 16,630, as against 23,036. The general tendency in jute mills is to
eliminate children, and out of 91 mills 45 have dispensed with child labour entirely, despite the fact that children, on account of their height, are better fitted than adults for the shifting work on spinning frames. Generally speaking, it appears that the conditions of employment of both women and children are improving, and both the Government inspectors and the Society for the Protection of
INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE. Lt.-Col. L. Cook to be Col. ROYAL AIR FORCE. is
Group Capt. H. Cooper, Honorary Surgeon placed on the retd. list.
to The
King,
COLONIAL SERVICE. has been appointed M.O., Boundary N. J. Abbensetts Dr. Commission, British Guiana ; Dr. L. R. Levy, M.O., Jamaica ; and Dr. D. C. Ogilvie, M.O., Leeward Islands.