Page 217 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

It is likely that nutrition also declined. Compared with the British industrial poor,

Capetonians were relatively well off. The climate was better. At Kalk Bay, especially,

there was an ample supply of cheap fish and kreef available. At least in the earlier part of
th
the 19 century, families had gardens and could grow some fresh fruit and vegetables.
They were able to keep some livestock.

th
But these options became less available in the 20 century. One of the disadvantages of
being incorporated into Cape Town is that municipal regulations formulated for the inner

city would be extended to the suburbs. The keeping of livestock, especially cows, became
less acceptable. As land became more crowded, there was less space for gardens. The poor

became more dependent on bought food - and they didn't have the money to buy it.

Managing disease

The use of statistics and the better understanding of disease were not the only factors in

reducing mortality rates. The creation of an effective medical bureaucracy was also crucial.

South Africa was unusual in having the system of the district surgeon, the local medical
representative of the central government, since the Dutch period. But this was not enough

in an industrialising society. In terms of the Public Health Act of 1897 every municipality
was encouraged to have a Medical Officer of Health to report regularly on health

conditions in their locality. Admirably, Kalk Bay - Muizenberg Municipality lost no time
in establishing such a post. The MOH had a second function - to educate his own

community in health matters. This usually meant the municipal council, made up of hard-

nosed men who were often reluctant to spend much on unprofitable municipal services.
Kalk Bay's medical officers had an uphill task persuading the council that decent drainage

214