PDF (Whole thesis) - UTas ePrints - University of Tasmania

Hal l's two lectures on "Hydrau lics" on May 12 and July 14, 1863,
ended another chapter in his life .
His lot as sanitarian and health
reformer had proved disappointing and thankl ess as far as Hobarton was
concerned;
in fact, he had neither illusions nor reservations about it.
In his candid letter to Whyte on July 9 he actually drew official attention
to his anomalous position in the community.
It is well known to yourself and the public of Tasmania that
I have been for years indefatigable in advocating sanitary
improvements in this island, and in estab lishing on sound
statistical data its ' legitimate claims to be " considered one
of the most salubrious climates in the·world. I have stood
well nigh alone in this arduous and disinterested task. It
is true that I have won honours thereby from Medical and
Scientific Societies of the neighbouring colonies and in
England. The most eminent periodical_ of the world, the Lancet,
in lauding my sanitary exertions , affixed to me the special
distinction of being 'The Sanitarian of Tasmania' . In the
Medical Society of Victoria, when I was elected an Honorary
Member , I was proclaimed to be 'the ablest authority on
Medico-Vital Statistics in the Southern Hemisphere '.
I believe that I am the only Medical Practitioner in Tasmania
who has contributed to Medical and Scientific Literature, or
won thereby any honourab le recognition from medical and
scientific bodies elsewhere. l
Yet, despite his impressive record, Hall had received no emp loyment from
the Colonial Government . It was certainly an odd situation, which ,
fortunately, the pressure of circumstances did not allow to continue.
On June 20, 1863 four days after the new session of yte's
Ministry began, the colonists learnt via the English mail that sma llpox
was raging fearfully in London ;
worse still , ships had lately arrived in
the neighbouring colonies from England with cases of the disease on
board. Hall immediately warned again, as he had done so many times before ,
that the population was in danger by neglecting the provisions of the
Compulsory Vaccination Act (17th Victoria No . 20) , 18 53 , and induced
1 CSD 4/44/8602 .