The development of a permanent public health care system in industrial Cape Breton, 1880 to 1930

Abstract

Prior to 1880 provincial legislation did not guarantee many safeguards for health matters. It was not mandatory for boards of health to be permanent institutions and they were basically active only in times of infectious disease outbreaks. It was not until amendments were made to the provincial Public Health Act in 1900 that positive changes could be seen.

The development of a permanent health care system in industrial Cape Breton town was a painfully slow ad hoc process. Its proponents met much opposition at every turn. The permanent system paralleled the growth of the towns. Local authorities made concessions often much too late and at great expense to the towns and to the public. With the introduction of hospitals and preventive medicine, more people became involved in the movement. Total responsibility for health matters became diffused among several groups. The entire burden for health no longer rested with medical health officers. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)