VC-DO-19

Distinctive characteristics of this form:

Special form for use to inform the identification of a communicable disease;
forms were issued bound into books with tabs. Possibly bound into a book as forms are serrated at top and left/right. The side serrations were to enable closing with a gummed tab;
although the forms are clearly marked for free postage, many were delivered with Postage Due stamps;
no schedule number;
has a fancy scroll at the left where it was attached to a booklet but this is generally covered when form is closed for mailing.

In the late 1890s, there were a number of outbreaks of communicable diseases - especially Typhoid, Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever.

The easiest way to ensure doctors could convey the required information was to use a specially designed Telegram form. These could be posted to the nearest Telegraph Office and sent at no cost – as established by Act 1098 of the Victorian Parliament, Section 125.

Occasionally a usual form would be used - presumably when none of the pre-printed forms was available.

VC-DO-19A.

Malmsbury to Metcalf.
9 August 1897.

Informs the Municipal Shire Secretary of a case of Scarlet Fever.

Characteristic:

has date printed as
____ 189___;
fancy scroll at left.

VC-DO-19B - showing exterior of form.

Maryborough for local delivery.
28 November 1904.

Details on the other side inform the Municipal Shire Secretary of a case of Typhoid Fever.

Has 1d Postage Due below printed "FREE BY ACT No. 1098, Sec 125".

Characteristic of format inside:

has date printed in the same place as for the above but as
____ 190___.

Details of use and rarity.

Form sub-number	Schedule number	Earliest recorded date	Rarity rating
DO-19a	None	9 August 1897 at Metcalf and Malmsbury (on reverse).	NC
DO-19b	None	22 April 1904 at Maryborough, Vic.	NC

Heading and notes:	No Form number. Has usual POT, Victoria heading above FREE BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT.
Message area:	Boxes only.
Reverse side:	Printed with space for address.
Colours (text & form):	Red on cream.
Size of form overall:	106 × 214 mm.